Former Super Eagles skipper Yobo laments Emenike's untimely retirement

 ? 

Former Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo has lament­ed the recent retirement of Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike from the national team.

Emenike last week took to his instagram handle to an­nounce that he was quitting the national team.

Ironically, Emenike’s announcement was coming on the heels of ‘disrobed’ skipper, Vincent Enyeama who also declared that he was retiring from the national team after falling out with coach Sunday Oliseh prior to the interna­tional friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo in Belgium.

Emenike, got his break with the national team after he was recommended to the then coach Samson Siasia by Yobo.

Speaking with Sunday Sunsports, the erstwhile Everton and Fenerbahce defender expressed worry that things are beginning to fall apart in the Nigerian team.

“I don’t really know what’s going on with our national team. Whatever may be the problem, the Nigeria Football Federation should make effort to resolve it peacefully be­fore it’s too late. A fortnight ago it was Enyeama and now it’s Emenike and I pray it does not continue this way.

“We know that Oliseh is building a new squad, but we still need the experience of players like Emenike, Enyeama and others in the national team. We should not be losing our best players like that.

“He may not be in the best of form at the moment, but he is a great player any day any time and that he showed when we won the African Cup of Nations in South Africa,” Yobo said. “I am proud of his achievements so far. I know his qualities and that was why I recommended him for the national team and he did not let me down.

“I am very sad about the news. Nevertheless let’s respect his decision and wish him well in his career.’’

Asked who he will tip to step into the shoes left behind by the 28-year- old, he continued: “I don’t know. I am not the coach. But that should not be a problem. We equally have a lot of good strikers, who will be ready for the chal­lenges whenever they are called up for the task but they need the support of the experienced players. I think the technical crew will be able to take care of that.’’