MX23RW : Monday, December 23 18:34:00| >> :600:3111562:3111562:

Nigeria's Joseph Yobo announces international retirement

Joseph Yobo announces his retirement from international football following Nigeria's 2-0 defeat against France at the World Cup.

Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo has announced his international retirement after the Super Eagles' exit from the 2014 World Cup.

The African side, who were victorious in last year's Africa Cup of Nations, bowed out of the competition in Brazil with a 2-0 defeat against France in Brasilia earlier today.

Yobo scored an own goal late on to secure the victory for Les Bleus, but he will be better remembered for his achievement of becoming the first Nigeria player to play 100 international matches.

"It was a bittersweet moment for me but I think it is time to focus on my family," the 33-year-old defender is quoted as saying by Goal.com. "It has been a long road. We've won the African Nations Cup and we came here and were not disgraced.

"I never thought that I'd be here because I missed the last six games of the season through injury. They gave me an opportunity but it is unfortunate what happened. I gave my all."

Yobo played at three World Cups for Nigeria.

ID:162668: cacheID:162668:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1942:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Mathieu Valbuena of France celebrates his team's secong goal on an own goal by Joseph Yobo of Nigeria during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between France and Nigeria at Estadio Nacional on June 30, 2014
Read Next:
Match Analysis: France 2-0 Nigeria
>
Read more about Joseph Yobo Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!