Yakubu: I Would Struggle to Score in Current Super Eagles Team

Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has criticised the Nigerian national team, pointing to poor tactics and lack of cohesion as key reasons for its failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Eagles’ qualification campaign was marred by disappointing results, including draws against Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa. With two matches left to play, Nigeria sits third in Group C with 11 points, behind South Africa on 17 points and Benin Republic with 14.

Speaking on the Sunday Oliseh Podcast, Yakubu said the squad’s midfield imbalance and over-reliance on individual brilliance have stifled its attacking potential.

“When we look at the team, we have too many defensive midfielders and not many attacking midfielders,” the former Everton forward observed.

Yakubu, who netted 21 goals in 58 appearances for Nigeria, stressed that the lack of creativity in midfield has made life difficult for strikers like Victor Osimhen.

“If I play in this team, I will struggle to score goals because when I look at Osimhen when he plays, he is fighting because he knows already when he sees the goals he scores, and he has to hustle by himself,” he explained.

He further faulted the team’s playing style, describing it as dependent on moments of individual brilliance rather than collective play.

“We don’t play like a team, it’s individual football we play, and we want the players to make magic,” he added.

Yakubu, Nigeria’s fourth-highest goalscorer, has consistently used his platform to advocate for a more balanced and creative approach in the Super Eagles’ gameplay.

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