Joseph Yobo facts for kids
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Yobo playing for Fenerbahçe in 2013
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 6 September 1980 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kono, Rivers State, Nigeria | |||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.88 m | |||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Defender | |||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996–1997 | Michellin-Harcourt | |||||||||||||||
| 1997–1998 | Standard Liège | |||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | |||||||||||||
| 1998–2001 | Standard Liège | 46 | (2) | |||||||||||||
| 2001–2003 | Marseille | 23 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2001–2002 | → Tenerife (loan) | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2002–2003 | → Everton (loan) | 24 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2003–2012 | Everton | 196 | (8) | |||||||||||||
| 2010–2012 | → Fenerbahçe (loan) | 69 | (2) | |||||||||||||
| 2012–2014 | Fenerbahçe | 21 | (1) | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | → Norwich City (loan) | 8 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| Total | 387 | (13) | ||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2014 | Nigeria | 101 | (7) | |||||||||||||
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Honours
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Joseph Michael Yobo (born September 6, 1980) is a famous Nigerian former footballer. He played as a centre back, which is a defensive position. Joseph Yobo was the captain of the Nigerian national team until he stopped playing international football in June 2014. He holds the record for the most appearances for Nigeria. In February 2020, he became an assistant coach for the Super Eagles, Nigeria's national team.
Contents
Joseph Yobo's Early Life and Career Start
Joseph Yobo was born in Kono, a community in Rivers State, Nigeria. He started his football journey in Nigeria.
In 1998, Yobo moved from Nigeria to join a club called Standard Liège in Belgium. He played his first game for their main team in 2000. He played 46 games for them. In 2001, a French club, Marseille, bought him.
Playing for Clubs
Joining Everton Football Club
After joining Marseille, Yobo was loaned to Tenerife for about nine months. Then, in July 2002, he joined Everton in England, also on loan. He was the first player signed by manager David Moyes.
Everton later made his move permanent in 2003. Joseph Yobo became a very reliable player for Everton. During the 2006–07 season, he played every minute of every game. This showed how important he was to the team.
In 2007, Yobo became the player with the most appearances for Everton from outside the UK. He held this record until 2012. On October 25, 2007, he became the first African player to be captain of Everton during a UEFA Cup match. He scored an important goal against West Ham United in May 2009, helping Everton win 3–1.
Moving to Fenerbahçe
On August 31, 2010, Yobo joined Fenerbahçe in Turkey on a one-year loan. He played 30 games and scored one goal, helping his team win the league title in the 2010–11 season.
Fenerbahçe and Everton agreed to another loan deal for Yobo in September 2011. Then, in August 2012, after playing for Everton for 10 years, he officially joined Fenerbahçe permanently. He signed a three-year contract. His contract with Fenerbahçe ended in August 2014.
Playing for Norwich City
On January 30, 2014, Yobo returned to England. He joined Norwich City on loan for the rest of the season. He played his first game for Norwich on February 8, helping them keep a clean sheet against Manchester City.
Playing for Nigeria
Joseph Yobo played for the Nigerian national team, known as the Super Eagles, 101 times. He played in three FIFA World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
He made his first senior international appearance for Nigeria in March 2001. He played in all of Nigeria's games in the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He even helped set up a goal in the World Cup.
Yobo played in his second World Cup in 2010 in South Africa. After this tournament, he became the captain of the Nigerian team. In 2013, he was part of the team that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. He came on as a substitute in the final game.
In June 2014, Yobo was chosen for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He played in his 100th international game, captaining Nigeria against France in the round of 16. After this game, he announced his retirement from international football. He said he was proud of his career and wanted to give other players a chance.
Becoming a Coach
On February 12, 2020, Joseph Yobo was appointed as an assistant coach for the Super Eagles. He replaced Imama Amapakabo in this role.
Yobo shared his excitement about his new role. He said he wanted to bring motivation and inspiration to the team. As a former captain and player, he felt he could share his experience. He also mentioned that he had been a fan and a pundit, so he understood how people felt about the team.
Joseph Yobo's Personal Life
In 2010, Joseph Yobo married Adaeze Igwe, a former beauty queen. They had a son named Joey Yobo in April 2010.
Joseph Yobo is the younger brother of Albert Yobo, who also played football for Nigeria. In July 2008, Joseph's younger brother, Norum, was kidnapped in Nigeria. He was released after 12 days. In May 2016, Joseph Yobo and his wife were given chieftaincy titles in Ogoniland. This happened a day after a special match was held to celebrate his retirement from active football.
Helping Others: Charity Work
In 2007, Joseph Yobo started the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation. This foundation helps children in Nigeria who are not as lucky. By July 2007, he had given over 300 scholarships to students from primary school to university. Yobo also started a football academy in the Ogoni area of Nigeria. He also organizes football camps in Lagos.
Honours and Awards
Fenerbahce
- Süper Lig: 2010–11
- Turkish Cup: 2011–12, 2012–13
Nigeria
Orders
Officer of the Order of the Niger
Images for kids
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Yobo (#4) playing for Everton against Arsenal.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Yobo para niños
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
