Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo has advised West Bromwich Albion striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie to grow up instead continue be disrespectful.
Odemwingie since Sunday has been attacking the Super Eagles’ head coach, Stephen Keshi, Yobo, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the local media and a section of fans via social media networking site, Twitter after he was dropped from the nation’s squad. But Yobo who spoke to Brila FM from his based, Turkey yesterday believed the West Bromwich striker has a genuine case but has presented it in the wrong way.
The former Everton defender said Osaze should blame himself for his problem. “Osaze is responsible for his problem. He’s been fighting everyone and he needs to grow up. This is the second time he’s calling me out. He needs to go look in the mirror.
He did so in 2010 and later apologised. He should know better because he’s not the (Lionel) Messi of Nigeria as there have been other top, top players before him. He might be saying the right things but he’s doing so in the wrong way,” Yobo said.
The Fenerbahce centre-half also revealed that the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa will be his swansong in the continent’s premier football championship.
He also said that next year’s tournament will be tougher as “there are no minnows any longer” but wants to win the African title as a parting shot. “There are no minnows any longer in football. Many people didn’t give Zambia the chance to win the last Nations Cup but they did. So we know that everyone now wants to beat Nigeria.
“I’m going to try to win this one. It is my last Nations Cup as I won’t have to deceive myself. I want to leave and allow the younger ones to have the chance to play,” said Yobo.
Yobo is Nigeria’s most capped player with 87 appearances and could hit the 90-mark when the Afcon gets underway on January 19.