Former Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo has confirmed that former Everton manager David Moyes is one of the top football personalities expected at his testimonial game scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt on May 27.
Yobo was Moyes' first signing at Everton and the former Nigerian skipper went on to distinguish himself during his eight years adventure at Goodison Park.
Speaking at a media briefing to herald the Joseph Yobo Centenary and Testimonial scheduled for the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in the Garden City, the former Super Eagles captain also listed former Cote d'Ivoire and Chelsea star, Didier Drogba and ex Cameroun international Samuel Eto'o Fils among the top African players coming to Nigeria for the match.
"My former manager David Moyes will come for my testimonial. Remember I was his first signing (at Everton) and I feel very honoured that he has agreed to attend the game in May," Yobo revealed to the gathering that included no less than 12 former Nigerian football superstars.
Though Yobo did not mention the other top players listed for the game in Port Harcourt, he however insisted that "Nigeria is going to witness some of the biggest stars of the Beautiful Game playing at my testimonial on May 27."
Earlier, Chairman of the Yobo Centenial/Testimonial briefing, John Mastoroudes, commended the former Nigerian captain on his 100 caps for the senior national team before retiring from the game.
Mastoroudes who superintended the former Leventis United Football Club of Ibadan to the summit of the Nigerian club football in the 1980s used the occasion to call for unity in the senior national team.
"It breaks my heart when Nigeria is not at any competition that involves the best of football nations in Africa. Recently, we have had divided camp with so much rancour in our senior national team. Some people say Sunday Oliseh should not have resigned but I am glad he left if that will bring back the desired unity," observed Mastoroudes.
He urged all to rally round Samson Siasia for the good times to return to Nigerian football again.
Peter Rufai, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West and Ifeanyi Udeze were among the ex internationals present at the event.
Former Eagles coaches led by Shaibu Amodu, Christian Chukwu, Austin Eguavoen and Henry Nwosu were also on hand to give support to their ward.
Yobo made 100 appearances in international matches for Nigeria at senior level, including featuring at three editions of the FIFA World Cup in 2002, 2010 and 2014. He played in six Africa Cup of Nations for the Super Eagles.
The 35-year-old was a member of the Nigerian side that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
A year later in Brazil during the World Cup Yobo quit international football after Eagles' loss to France in the second round, which was his 100th and final appearance for Nigeria.
Yobo first broke onto the international stage in 1999 with the Flying Eagles coached by Fanny Amun when Nigeria hosted the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
He made his senior debut for Eagles in 2001 against Zambia in a 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Kitwe.
SOURCE: (Allafrica)
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