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Former Everton striker Daniel Amokachi has praised Yakubu after he was named Nigeria's captain in today's World Cup qualifier against South Africa
The Super Eagles won the game 1-0 under the captaincy of the Yak, courtesy of a goal from Ikechukwu Uche who shot from the edge of the area to beat the South African 'keeper.
Amokachi, now the assistant coach at the Super Eagles, had similar attributes to the current Blues striker in his playing days and has singled out Yakubu as the perfect stand-in captain, after Joseph Yobo pulled out of the squad earlier this week with an injury.
Having scored two goals in the Premier League so far this campaign, and netting his 100th in English top flight football against West Brom, the Yak being named as captain is the more than deserved according to Amokachi.
He said: “He (Yakubu) has been great with the players this week and he certainly commands respect within the group.
“He is a calm individual, but he has an air about him that the others really like. The coaching staff like working with him as well.”
Nigeria had already qualified for the next round of qualifiers going into the game with Bafana Bafana, but Amokachi rubbished reports in the build up to the clash which suggested that his side weren't going into the game looking for victory.
And although Nigeria were forced to defend for a lot of the game, Yakubu's side hit their rivals on the counter attack to secure victory.
