Zambia clash will be like final – Yobo

Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo is still in pains after seeing his record outing with the national team at the continental stage end in disappointment.

The 32-year-old Fenerbahce defender was almost certain that Nigeria would overrun Burkina Faso in their first Group C game on Monday, but to everyone’s surprise, the Burkinabes waited until the last seconds to deny Nigeria of full match points.

Nigeria conceded the late goal after a defensive blunder but Yobo believes the result should have gone the Eagles’ way.

Nigeria play against Zambia in their next game on Friday.

“We played a good game and had controlled it well for the greater part of it but that’s football for you. We were supposed to get all three points so credit to Burkina Faso they found the equaliser,” Yobo said in the post-match briefing.

“As far as the result is concerned, it wasn’t the best start for us. We were supposed to win this game; it is like a lost game to me. The match against Zambia is going to be like a Cup final because we want to make sure that we qualify for the next stage.

“We have to show character in next game against Zambia.

“We know what to expect in the game because they are the defending champions and we respect them for that, they know what we can do as well and know what we will come for in the match.

“It will be a difficult game because both teams need the three points.”

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso captain, Moumouni Dagano, revealed they were expecting Nigeria to play the way they did, saying the 1-1 draw was good for his side.

“It was a hard game against Nigeria as we expected but to get a draw is good for us. We know that as a team we can play even better, so we are going to work hard for the next games,” Dagano said.

Punch Nigeria