Ex-Nigeria international, Celestine Babayaro, has faulted the appointment of former teammate, Joseph Yobo, as assistant coach of the Super Eagles.
Babayaro told BBC Sport on Wednesday that although he was in support of ex-players being appointed into the team’s coaching setup, he believes one who should be appointed should have credentials.
“From my point of view as an ex-player I think he is a good appointment probably done in a wrong way,” Babayaro said.
“I’m not sure if he’s got his badges but if you are trying to appoint someone you make sure they’ve got the right credentials before you appoint them.”
Yobo, 39, replaced Imama Amapakabo who was sacked as Gernot Rohr’s assistant.
Babayaro, 41, was Yobo’s teammate at the 2002 World Cup and 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“I don’t care if it’s an ex (player) or whoever, make sure you appoint the right person that knows the job,” Babayaro added.
“Yes, Joseph Yobo has been a captain for Nigeria and he has done well. If you want to give him that sort of position make sure he gets the right badges.
“If he hasn’t got his badges, send him somewhere. It takes a few months or less than a year.
“Get the right badges, get the right papers and make him whatever you want to make him.”
Yobo, who captained the Super Eagles in the race to glory in South Africa in 2013, is expected to begin his coaching duties when Rohr’s team faces Sierra Leone on March 23, 2020, in the race for AFCON 2021.
The former Everton defender’s appointment has received diverse reactions since it was announced on February 12.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, defended the appointment at the time saying: “The concept behind this is to nurture and condition former captain Joseph Yobo to provide leadership and mentorship for the young team.”
According to Babayaro, African teams need to be more disciplined if they must win the World Cup.
“I have seen the way the Europeans do their things. The discipline is so different. For us to be able to win the World Cup it will take a while unless if we get our act right before we can see a World Cup coming to Africa,” he said.
