Yobo Voices Out, We Only Demanded Our Right

We did not play badly because of our appearance fee!

That must have been the way to put the words of Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo who has come out to defend his Eagles team after rumours spreading have it that they were owed appearance fees and for that the issue distracted them against Iran.

“No one held Nigeria to ransom. We are ready to play for Nigeria even if we don’t get paid for that.

“Look at the players who are playing in Nigeria, this money is a life changer for them. This will change their family, they will be happy because they worked hard to get here.''

Yobo emphatically opposed the over-importance placed on the matter, adding that: “This (money) won’t change my life, but as the captain of the team I know what the players deserve.

“Most countries have appearance fee and this was what we spoke about.

“It (meeting with NFF on appearance fee) was peaceful and quiet, there was no problem, but at the end of the day it came out differently in the media.”

The 33 year-old defender further said that the matter should have been discussed and resolved before now had the NFF paid importance to it.

“They should have addressed this much earlier than when it was almost game time.

''Why did we wait till the last minute?'' Yobo quizzed.

The appearance fee is money paid by FIFA to football federations for players appearing in the 2014 World Cup, the NFF have agreed to pay 30% of the cash.

Each team that makes it beyond the first round gets more cash for longer stay in the competition, if the Eagles can beat the Dragons of Bosnia and then qualify, that will mean more money from FIFA for the team.