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EVERTON FC: OUT OF AFRICA: PART TWO

/noticias.info/ Yesterday Evertonfc.com told you about the barriers Nigerian trio Victor Anichebe, Joseph Yobo and Yakubu had to overcome in order to kick start their careers in football.

Certainly in the case of the latter two the decision to leave their homeland for Europe was not one taken lightly or without sacrifice. Today we tell you about the people who have helped the African triumvirate settle into the Everton way of life.

Speaking to Premier League productions during the making of a special series about Nigerian footballers, Yobo admitted there are still times when he misses Port Harcourt, the bustling Nigerian city where he grew up. But his passion for football and devotion to Christianity have helped the defender deal with the negative side of uprooting.

“A few years ago I was homesick,” said Joseph. “But I’ve been away from home for probably 10 years now. I have most of my family around me and although sometimes I do miss Nigeria – because home is home – I’m well settled over here now. Part of my life is over here and I just have to cope with that.

“The church I go to is more like an African church and that helps. It’s headed by Nigerian bishops and they’re more like family to me. That makes life easier for me and my family.”

For Yobo’s team-mate Victor Anichebe having fellow Nigerian’s around has helped him settle in at Everton both on and off the pitch.

He points to his friendship with Yakubu as a major reason for his successful integration into David Moyes’ first-team squad.

“I like to eat out or go to Yak’s and chill out with him,” says Victor. “I’ve benefited a lot from Yak on the pitch too because he’s good at keeping the ball. He uses his body very well and I’ve been looking to see how he gets in those positions.

“I work with him all the time and he even gives me some pointers, which is helping me improve as a player. I’m glad he’s here.”

It’s a sentiment Yakubu echoes, claiming his friendship with Anichebe, Yobo and South African midfielder Stephen Pienaar helped him settle quickly following his move from Middlesbrough.

“I’m so lucky to have Yobo, Pienaar and Anichebe here with me,” says the striker, who, in his debut season, became the first Everton player to score 20 goals in a campaign since the Premier League began.

“When you have people from your own country getting together it helps a lot and they talk to you and see if you’re okay after training. They also want to do things after training and that helps you settle down quickly to be part of the team.

“I’ve been here for a year already and when you have players like them it helps you a lot. They make me feel at home and I enjoy it. And when I’m scoring goals and helping the team it’s good.” For everyone.

Look out on Evertonfc.com tomorrow for the third part of Out of Africa, our series on Everton's Nigerian players. The players talk about life at Everton, David Moyes and breaking into the Premier League’s top four. notas_de_prensa_archivo