Joseph Yobo Centenary Match: as it happened!

Former Nigeria captain and Everton defender Joseph Yobo ended his illustrious playing career in Port Harcourt today with a testimonial match played in his honour today at the Adokiye Amiesimaka International Stadium.

It was a befitting ending for Joseph Yobo who played 101 games for the Super Eagles. The match was between Team Nigeria and Team World.

Team Nigeria who paraded the likes of Vincent Enyeama, Efe Ambrose, Emmanuel Emenike, Mutiu Adepoju, Ben Iroha, comedian AY, Danny Shittu, Jay Jay Okocha, Joel Obi, Nwankwo Kanu beat Team World 5-4 in an entertaining match.

Team World who had the likes of Sulley Muntari, Samuel Eto’o, Laryea Kingston, Stephen Appiah, Dele Aiyenugba, Lomana Lualua, LMC chairman Shehu Dikko, Nollywood actor Paw Paw coached by Yobo’s former coach at Everton David Moyes gave a good account of themselves.

Adepoju had the game’s first chance for Super Eagles Eleven but his outside shot didn’t trouble Dele Aiyenugba in goal for the World Eleven.

Emenike opened the scoring for the Eagles Eleven/Team Yobo in the sixth minute, shooting past Aiyenugba.

Okocha came close to doubling the Eagles XI’s lead after his trade-mark step-overs but his left foot strike was well saved by Aiyenugba.

Muntari drew the World Eleven level in the eighth minute, smashing in a left-foot strike into the top corner off an assist from Eto’o.

The Eagles XI went 2-1 up through Joel Obi in the ninth minute, tapping the ball into an empty net after Aiyenugba spilled the ball.

In the 16th minute the Eagles Eleven almost extend their lead but Emenike couldn’t connect with Ambrose cross.

Layrea Kingston tried a long range effort which was parried away for a corner by Enyeama.

Some minutes later Eto’o saw his low drive punched away by Enyeama.

Eto’o made it 2-2 for the World Eleven on 21 minutes, dribbling past Enyeama before playing into the net.

Emenike scored the Eagles Eleven third goal in the 23rd minute, following a pass from Okocha.

Emenike grabbed his hat-trick, tapping into an empty net off an assist from Musa.

In the 28th minute, Yobo had a chance to score the World Eleven’s third goal from a free-kick but blasted over the bar.

Yobo got on the score sheet on the struck of half time to make it 4-3, slamming a right-foot shot which hit the cross bar and was adjudged to have crossed the goal line.

The second half saw a host changes made with Yobo and Okocha swaping places while Nwankwo Kanu comedian AY and Ben Iroha came in.

Early in the second half, Kingston had a chance to make it 4-4 only to blast his effort over the bar.

Yobo missed a spot kick in the 39th minute after Musa was brought down by Aiyenugba.

Yobo made amend from the spot kick in the 45th minute, sending Aiyenugba the wrong way after Onyekachi Okonkwo fouled him to make it 5-3.

On 48 minutes, Yobo hit a left-foot drive which was saved by Aiyenugba.

Emenike came close to grabbing his hat-trick in the 54th minute but his strike went over the bar.

Paw Paw reduced the deficit for the World Eleven on 55 minutes, finishing off a pass from Eto’o.