2 March 2011
Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo talks to MTNFootball.com on his new life in Turkey, new Nigeria coach Samson Siasia as well as the Eagles charge for a ticket to the 2012 Nations Cup.
MTNFootball.com: How is Joseph Yobo faring in the Turkish league with Fenerbache?
Joseph Yobo: I think its been great so far although there are ups and downs in football, but the club started strongly in the second half of the Turkish league by winning all our matches now.
You have played for a long time in England and you are in Turkey now. How would you describe life in Turkey to what you were used to in England?
I would say that I have enjoyed my time everywhere I have been. I am now in Istanbul in Turkey and I am enjoying every minute of my stay there. The life style in Turkey is different, the culture is different and the people and football in Turkey are different.
It is something new and I have taken it with both hands, I am enjoying it. Its always hard when you move to a club and most especially a big club like Fenerbache. The challenges and the pressure to win every time are there, but for me it is a good thing.
Fenerbache are a huge team and I am blessed to be playing for them. Uche Okechukwu and Jay Jay Okocha played for this club before, but I didnt know they are this big until I joined them. Its a massive club and every player wants to play for a big club.
I am playing to win the league. I want to play in the Champions League next season. With Everton I have played in the UEFA Cup a few times and once in the Champions League, but now it is time to remain in the Champions League and that is what I want to do. So, my ambition is to help them win the Turkish league.
Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia has his own philosophy for the team. Do you share this vision?
Yes, I do. He is a good coach. The only thing is that the time is short for everybody to actually see what he can do and the changes he wants to make. That is why people have to be patient for results to come. I spoke with him when he came to see me in Turkey to share his views and philosophy.
Time will tell about everything because right now there is no time to actually implement all his ideas and everything he wants to do.
Hopefully, in the future we would see more of the things that he wants us to do and how he wants us to play and how to take the team forward.
I like the idea of seeing some players coming in. It is always good and I am a big fan of giving others their opportunities as well as actually integrating them slowly. But it is not that easy changing everything. It is a gradual process before we get there.
How would you assess the performance of the new boys in the team?
The boys actually did well. Players like Ahmed Musa, Joel Obi and Emmanuel Emenike showed they have got talent and with time they will gradually blend into the team.
The home-based players too have the talent to be in the team, but they need more time to actually integrate into the team. Lets be patient and we will get there.
What is your candid assessment of the 2-1 victory over visiting Sierra Leone recently?
It is always important to win games most especially under a new coach. The result will definitely boost our confidence. This is also a good sign that we will get a good result against Ethiopia in an Africa Nations Cup qualifier. The coach knows what to do to get the best out of us against Ethiopia.
What then should we expect against Ethiopia later this month?
There are no two ways about it, we must win to have a chance of picking a ticket to the 2012 Nations Cup. We met with the coaches and officials and agreed we must all work very hard to beat Ethiopia and also win our remaining matches to be at the Nations Cup. I believe we have the players to do the job and with hard work by both players and coaches, we will make it. Ethiopia must fall!
How has it been leading the Super Eagles with Kanu Nwankwo now retired from the international game?
As a captain you call the final shots when it comes to the players. As an assistant to Kanu, we shared ideas but he had to finally call the shot. As Eagles skipper you just have to stand up to things. You just have to be strong. You have to have the character and the personality. There are certain things that are going to be changed and certain decisions that are going to be made and as captain you have to be responsible for these.
What are the things that are lacking as regards Joseph Yobos career?
I think winning laurels is one thing that has been missing in my career. I have been around for sometime now and I have played in some top leagues (but failed to win laurels). It is a nice thing to win something, you just want to be part of a winning side.
I have had opportunities to play for the biggest clubs in the world. That is not a fluke. That shows that I am doing something good. For me, it is about winning something and that is why I went to Fenerbache.
When I was about leaving Everton on the last day of the transfer window, I had about 10 clubs wanting me to sign for them and that was in the last 48 hours of the transfer window.
It is always a good sign that big clubs are chasing you, but then you have to pick rightly. So, I am glad I picked Fenerbache and now I am chasing to win the Turkish league championship.
With Nigeria, it is also time to win something. I have been disappointed a couple of times especially in Africa Nations Cup getting to the semi-finals, but now it is time to break that jinx and take a step further and hopefully win something.
I think this is what the rebuilding of the Super Eagles is all about and everybody has to share in this quest. We all have to have the drive that now it is time we win something.
You are in Turkey now. Is your young family with you or you left them behind in England?
You cant stay without your family. It is not easy because your family are the people you love and they are the ones who are going to be there for you. They are the ones who are there for you when you cry.
The first thing I did was to relocate my family to Turkey the same day I moved to Turkey. Even my mum is with me over there. My family is everything.
