Yobo hails John Utaka FC despite loss to Wikki Tourists

Former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo and now assistant to Gernot Rohr is delighted and was full of praises for John Utaka FC after he watched the youthful Minna based team lose by 2-1 to Nigeria Professional Football League side, Wikki Tourists at the Tafawa Balewa stadium in Bauchi.

Yobo who was in Bauchi on a scouting mission was so impressed by the standard displayed by the two teams that he marvelled why the John Utaka FC is not playing in any category of our leagues. 

“I am so impressed with this young JUFC side for their robust and direct style of play add to the high intensity they applied all through the 90 minutes. I find it difficult to believe that they are a non league side the way they pressed an experienced and quality side like Wikki Tourist was a delight to watch

“I am carried away by their amazing display despite losing the game 2-1 to Wikki  They put up the kind of performance we love to see in the national team set up, that fighting spirit of never giving up. I still don’t believe they are not a league side. I want to commend my former national team mate John for the wonderful team he has here” Yobo told the media in Bauchi

Skipper Alhaji Idris Guda and Manu Garba scored for Wikki Tourist FC who are shaping up for the commencement of the NPFL season. JUFC lone goal was scored by 16 year old Istifanus Jofrank Gombiman

Speaking after the game, Vice president of John Utaka Football Club Usman Chata said the club embarked on series of friendly game to prepare for the tour of France early next year adding that he is impressed with their performance so far and he thinks there’s room for improvement

“Our coach is using these friendly matches to blend the old players with our new graduates from our academy and to evaluate the players fitness after the long Covid 19 pandemic lay off. So far we have played about five games losing to Flying Eagles (2-1), Wikki Tourist 2-1 and Kano Pilllars by a lone goal. We  beat Crown 1-0 and Monaco Barca 3-0

Yobo however refused to comment when asked if he discovered any player good enough for national team, “my job is to scout and report back to my boss Gernot Rohr” he said.

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