AE Sports
Home / Football / African Football / Keshi Tells Yobo To Treat Injury And Focus On World Cup

Keshi Tells Yobo To Treat Injury And Focus On World Cup

 

Stephen Keshi has advised injured captain Yobo to take his time to recover in readiness for the 2014 World Cup and stop worrying about the team.

Yobo was forced to pull out of Nigeria’s team to face Mexico in Atlanta on Wednesday after picking up an injury during last weekend’s Premier League match between Norwich City and Aston Villa.

The defender, according to reports was adamant to travel to support the Super Eagles in the US despite the injury, but was told to stay back in England for treatment, so, he could recover on time for the global tournament in summer.

Keshi, who gave the former Everton player a recall to the national team after one year absence has insisted that Yobo’s replacement for the friendly against Mexico, Leon Balogun is not taking his place in the national team.

“Yobo was still bent on coming for the game even if just to support the team but I told him to relax and recover quickly for the World Cup,” Keshi said.

“He is not replacing Yobo at all.”

“We have to look to the future and that is why we called up Balogun, he has been in our plans for a long time and it was just time that he steps out into the team for us to see what he can do and I must say I am glad that he responded well and the boys here also welcomed him well.

“We also have an opportunity to see (Ezekiel) Imoh, who is a part of the system now for us to see what they can do to make the team better, we must look ahead,” Keshi said.