Former Super Eagles’ captain and assistant coach, Joseph Yobo has warned that the Nigerian squad must do everything possible to avoid an early clash with Morocco at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Sports247.ng reports that, speaking against the backdrop of the AFCON draw that placed Nigeria in the same pool alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda, Yobo said he is not worried about the Eagles’ chances of emerging unscathed from the group.
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However, Yobo, who is Nigeria’s second most capped ex-international, but started as a striker at Olympique Marseille of France of France before becoming a defender on moving to Everton of England, stressed that an early clash with Morocco in the knock-out stage would be tricky for the Eagles.
Yobo, who also played for Cardiff City of Wales in the English Premier League, went on to express profound confidence in the current set of Eagles’ players to ruffle many feathers during the competition that will run from December this year till January 2026.
He added, “We have a good crop of young new generation players that have actually been together for a very long time. So, I don’t think a lack of understanding will be a problem for them. We showed that at the last AFCON, and we were just very unlucky not to win. If we build on with that momentum and take it a bit further, I think we can get to the final and hopefully win it again this time.”
The tall former centre back, who was Nigeria’s captain when the team won its third continental title at South Africa 2013, added that he is not wary of any hazards that they may face in Group C, but pointed out that Morocco would be lurking round the corner at any point in the elimination stages.
“Normally with the Super Eagles, we never have problems coming out of the group. So, I am not bothered about that. What I will say is that I would like them to avoid the host nation for as long as possible.
“If we meet them in the knock-out stage, it means one team will go home at that point. They are also a good team. So, we should try to avoid them. The most important thing is that we should focus on ourselves. Let’s build the momentum and get to the knock-out stage, then see what happens next,” Yobo advised.
