By John Egbokhan
Ex-international, Yisa Sofoluwe has called for the immediate recall of captain Joseph Yobo and other experienced Europe-based Nigerian stars to fortify the Super Eagles squad ahead of the final round of matches for the 2014 World Cup qualification series.

Yobo Joseph

Speaking against the backdrop of the Eagles first round exit from the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, Sofoluwe said that it was evident that Coach Stephen Keshi did not get it right in his decision not to invite Yobo for the tournament, stressing that the team would have benefited from his experience had he featured against Spain and Uruguay.

“We really missed Yobo in the matches against Uruguay and Spain. Yobo is an experienced player, who understands how to play European teams. He would have checked some of the lapses we saw against Spain. Our home boys are yet to get to that level. They don’t know what diagonal marking is like and that was what caused those goals we conceded.

“Keshi needs to bring in Yobo back to avoid further embarrassments. I am not saying that the ones there are not good but they are yet to attain the level of maturity that Yobo has reached. The time for experiment is over. We are approaching very crucial period and can’t afford to toy with our World Cup hopes”, added Sofoluwe, in a telephone interview with Sports Vanguard

Continuing, Sofoluwe said that “I am not taking anything away from the four defenders but what is clear is that they are not experienced and they would learn from Yobo, who has seen it and done it in the over ten years he has spent playing in Europe.

“Keshi needs to accept this fact –  his team have not reached the level where he can start dropping experienced players yet. He has  tried to give the young ones opportunities but we have reached that stage that we need more than young blood to get to our dream land. Our football needs experienced players, who have seen a lot of matches and can rise to the occasion.

“I want to see this team play friendly matches against top European teams before the next World Cup, so that the young ones can learn and mature before the competition in Brazil. If we do not test these players with such friendly matches, I bet you that the World Cup for Eagles would be a bad one”, added Sofoluwe.