Respect older players – Yobo

ABUJA – Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo has called for better communication between the Nigeria coaching staff and established Super Eagles players.

Thursday, April 04, 2013

ABUJA – Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo has called for better communication between the Nigeria coaching staff and established Super Eagles players.Yobo is the latest player to have been involved in a public spat with coach Stephen Keshi after reacting angrily to being omitted from the squad that drew 1-1 against Kenya in a World Cup qualifier at home recently.It follows criticism of Keshi from West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie and Emmanuel Emenike, who also felt they had been treated badly.Fenerbahce defender Yobo believes much of the ill feeling could be eradicated through greater courtesy.The 32-year-old, who is his country’s most capped player on 95 appearances, said he felt "disrespected” by Keshi after the coach failed to inform him he would not be called up for last month’s game."I have been with the national team for more than 10 years, I don’t expect to play every game if I can’t give my all,” Yobo told BBC Sport."But [Keshi’s] attitude was quite disappointing. I’ve never demanded special treatment, only to be given the same respect I’ve given to all my coaches and the country."I won’t be around forever but we need to halt the sad exit episodes. When you treat older players badly the younger ones are witnessing a terrible trend.”Yobo helped Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa in February but has said that will be his last appearance in the competition.And he insists he is not one to stand in the way of young players coming through and is keen to see them develop and do well for the Super Eagles