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Aiyegbeni snubs Yekini, Mikel in greatest Eagles XI

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni named his greatest Nigeria starting XI, omitting legends like Rashidi Yekini and John Obi Mikel.
  • Yakubu selected a team primarily from the 1990s and 2000s, with only one current player, defender Bright Osayi-Samuel.
  • The selection notably excluded Mikel despite his success and included Yakubu himself alongside Nwankwo Kanu in attack.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni, a former Super Eagles striker, has revealed his all-time greatest Nigeria starting eleven, notably excluding prominent figures like Rashidi Yekini and John Obi Mikel. The selection, shared via video on the official Super Eagles X account, also omits current star Victor Osimhen.

Any player who has said I used to take money from them should come forward with the evidence. If they are able to present any evidence, that means I am truly guilty.

— Nurudeen AweroroRefuting allegations of bribery and inducements linked to his exit from Shooting Stars.

Yakubu's chosen back four consists of Vincent Enyeama in goal, supported by Bright Osayi-Samuel, Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu, and Celestine Babayaro. The midfield features Sunday Oliseh and Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, while Julius Aghahowa and Finidi George occupy the wide attacking positions. Upfront, Yakubu selected himself to partner with Nwankwo Kanu.

These are different from instances whereby players feel they should appreciate you with a token. There was even a time Qamar Adegoke was experiencing a goal drought. I prayed for him and charged him to score nothing less than 10 goals. He wanted to send money to me, and I told him to send it to the fans.

— Nurudeen AweroroExplaining the difference between appreciation and inducements, and recounting an instance with player Qamar Adegoke.

Bright Osayi-Samuel is the sole representative from the current generation, a defender who transitioned from winger. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama earned 101 caps, while Joseph Yobo also reached the same milestone, winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Danny Shittu made 32 appearances, and Celestine Babayaro earned 27 caps.

I brought Alade Balogun from Ikorodu City, and I had to ask him in the midst of all the players if I had ever asked him for any financial favours or inducements before. He said no. That is a player that has been with me from Ikorodu City.

— Nurudeen AweroroProviding an example of player Alade Balogun to counter claims of financial inducements.

The midfield pairing of Oliseh and Okocha is significant, given Yakubu's past assertion that Oliseh was superior to Mikel. This stance likely explains Mikel's absence, despite his achievements including winning the 2013 Nations Cup. Finidi George, a 1994 Nations Cup winner, is recognized as a top right winger, and Nwankwo Kanu, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, completes the attacking duo with Yakubu, who is Nigeria's fourth-highest all-time scorer.

Yes, I could say that. During my time at the club, my blood pressure was around 169, and the chairman, Taiwo Lekan-Salami, had ensured that I went to the hospital.

— Nurudeen AweroroDescribing the toll the coaching job took on his health.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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