Taribo West has launched a scathing attack on Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo over his outburst against coach Stephen Keshi on Tuesday.
Yobo, who was excluded from the March 23 World Cup qualifying game against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Calabar, told Lagos sports radio Brila FM that he was disappointed that Keshi did not consider it necessary to inform him about his decision to drop him from the game that ended 1-1.
“I’m disappointed nobody called me before the team list was announced. It’s disrespectful. I feel disrespected,” Yobo said.
But former Inter Milan and AC Milan strongman Taribo berated the Fenerbahce defender for his outburst, saying it was “immature and uncalled for”.
“Football is a generational thing and Yobo should know this,” the Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold medallist told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.
“He has served the nation very well and he deserves commendation for this. But he should be grateful to Keshi for giving him the opportunity to win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and getting more international caps.
“Keshi was severely criticised for naming him for the tournament, but he stuck with Yobo.
“In spite of the fact that Godfrey Oboabona and Kenneth Omeruo were playing very well during the competition, Keshi still played him.
“I think Keshi did this to honour him and he should appreciate his effort.”
The former Partizan Belgrade star rejected Yobo’s claim that one of Keshi’s assistants is intimidated by his achievements with the national team. Keshi’s assistants consist of Nigeria ’80 Africa Cup of Nations winner Sylvanus Okpala, Tunisia ’94 AFCON winner Daniel Amokachi and ex-Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu.
Taribo said, “Nobody is jealous of Yobo’s achievements. The assistant coaches have also won medals for the country.
“Yobo should cooperate with the coaches to achieve more for the country.”
Keshi, who expressed his disappointment in Yobo’s outburst, insisted that none of his assistants was envious of the former Everton defender’s achievements.
“The coaches on the bench have also won the Africa Cup of Nations and there’s no point for him thinking that way,” the Tunisia ’94 winner said.
Yobo is the most capped Nigeria player after playing 94 times for the country.