Yakubu Aiyegbeni: Lack of Creativity Would Stop Me Scoring in Today’s Super Eagles
2 min read
By Sportsgister
Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has voiced his concerns about the current state of Nigeria’s national football team, insisting that the lack of creativity in midfield would make it difficult for even him to score goals if he were still active.
Speaking on Sunday Oliseh’s podcast, the ex-Everton and Middlesbrough star reflected on Nigeria’s struggles in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, highlighting the team’s shortcomings in attack.
“When you look at this team, we don’t have a creative midfielder. If I played here, I would struggle to score goals. Look at Osimhen—he’s always fighting because he knows the supply isn’t there,” Yakubu said.
The 41-year-old lamented the Super Eagles’ tendency to rely heavily on defensive midfielders while failing to build fluid attacking play. According to him, the team rarely strings six or seven passes together, often settling for sideways or long balls instead of progressive movement that could open up defenses.
Currently, under head coach Eric Chelle, Nigeria sits third in their qualifying group, having scored just nine goals and conceded seven in eight matches. Their inconsistent performances have left their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in serious jeopardy.
Yakubu, fondly nicknamed “The Yak,” remains one of Nigeria’s most prolific forwards. He is the country’s fourth all-time top scorer with 21 goals in 55 international appearances. He featured at both the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups, and his name remains etched in Premier League history as Nigeria’s highest scorer in the competition, with 95 goals across spells with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, Blackburn Rovers, and Leicester City.
While his playing days are long behind him, Yakubu’s remarks underline growing concerns among fans and pundits about the Super Eagles’ lack of balance and creativity in their pursuit of World Cup qualification.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
