Super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo, has expressed confidence in the depth of the team ahead of their Monday evening clash with Les Bleus of France at the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
Speaking at a pre-match briefing in Brasilia on Sunday, the Fenerbahce of Turkey defender said: “Qualifying for the knockout phase was our first objective.
“We’re very happy because that hadn’t happened to us since 1998.
“This time, we did it with pride, by finishing second and trying to win first place against Argentina.
“We’re disappointed because we didn’t play that game to win it from the very first minute.
“We thought a draw would be a good result, but in the second half we came out even stronger to try and win the match.
“That’s what we should have done from the very first minute.”
But Yobo took plenty of encouragement from how the game against the Argentines subsequently played out.
He said: “I’m proud of our team and our reaction after we fell behind.
“We’re happy to have qualified but disappointed not to have got a better result.
“They’re one of the best teams in the world and it was a huge test for us.”
The former Everton stalwart hardly needed a second to think before naming the greatest forward he has faced in his long career.
He said: “Oh Messi.
“He’s the best by far.
“I’d already played against him in 2010 and he caused us problems then, but we managed to stop him scoring.
“He’s a really special player.
“You only have to look at how he made us suffer on Wednesday.”
Like Argentina, Les Bleus are sure to provide another probing examination, particularly with Karim Benzema in such keen form.
Yobo said: “We’ve just played against the best forward in the world, so we’re ready to measure ourselves against anybody.
“I don’t see what we should be afraid of.
“I believe in this team and I think we can do it.”
Yobo is expected to win his 101st cap on Monday.
He added: “If we don’t win the next game, there won’t be a 102nd cap and so on.
“But what if I can make it to 104 in Brazil?”
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