Yakubu Aiyegbeni Explains Why Current Super Eagles Squad Struggle in World Cup Qualifiers
- Yakubu Aiyegbeni has attributed the Super Eagles' struggles in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to a lack of creative midfielders
- It has been a dismal outing for the three-time African champions, who are on the verge of missing out on the global showpiece for a second consecutive time
- The Super Eagles are third in CAF qualification Group C with just two wins in eight matches, and hopes for a playoff are also fading away as well
A former Nigerian international, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, has disclosed that the current Super Eagles have struggled in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers because of a lack of creativity.
The 42-year-old is unimpressed with the national team's performances in recent times, as they are now on the verge of missing yet another FIFA World Cup.
After eight matches, the Super Eagles have registered five 1-1 draws, a 1-2 loss to the Benin Republic, and two wins against over Rwanda.
Source: Getty Images
The three-time African champions sit in a precarious third position in CAF qualification Group C, while South Africa top with 17 points and Benin are second with 14.
With just two matches left in the campaign, Nigeria could be handed a lifeline should FIFA sanction South Africa for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
Stakeholders are calling on the world's football governing body to dock Bafana Bafana three points after Teboho Mokoena appeared in a 2-0 win over the Crocodiles.
While the Super Eagles' chances of progressing still hang in the balance, Eric Chelle's men must win their remaining two matches in the series, Punch reports.
Nigeria take on Lesotho on September 6 in South Africa before returning to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo for their final game against Benin a week later.
While they hope for a chance in the playoffs, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who scored 21 goals in 58 matches in the green and white colours, said he would also struggle in the present squad.
He said on Sunday Oliseh's Podcast:
"When we look at the team, we have too many defensive midfielders. We don’t have a creative midfielder. If I play in this team, I’ll struggle to score goals.
"I’m telling you because when you look at Osimhen when he plays, he’s fighting because he knows already. We don’t have a midfielder who can pass the ball.
"We always pass the ball sideways. We cannot string six passes or seven passes. When we pass the ball a bit, then we kick it long. We cannot build a team like this."
Yakubu was part of the Nigerian squad to the football event at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
He made his full international debut in Nigeria's 4-0 win over Eritrea in the AFCON 2002 qualifiers.
Source: Getty Images
‘The Yak’, as he is fondly called by his teammates, is infamously remembered by fans for missing a sitter at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
FIFA mum over sanctioning South Africa
Legit.ng earlier reported that the FIFA disciplinary committee released its latest sanctions report, and South Africa is in the clear, at least for now.
Fielding an ineligible player could result in forfeiting three points and three goals, and a monetary fine.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
