Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has raised a critical concern about the Nigerian national team's composition ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The ex-international believes the current squad lacks the creative midfield talent necessary to dominate top-tier matches and challenge for the title.
A Critical Void in the Midfield
Speaking on the Home Turf Podcast, Aiyegbeni pointed out that the midfielders selected by coach Eric Chelle are predominantly defensive in nature. He specifically mentioned players like Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, noting their tendency to pass sideways rather than forward. According to the former Portsmouth star, this leaves a significant gap in the team's ability to control games.
"We need a proper midfielder who can pass the ball because we have too many defensive midfielders," Aiyegbeni stated. "We have Ndidi and Onyeka, they can only pass the ball sideways. We need a creative midfielder who can pass the ball very well, so we are lacking that. That's the most important thing for us, we don't have it. We don't dominate games."
Longing for the Oliseh Era
Aiyegbeni drew a direct comparison to past legends, highlighting the qualities missing in the current setup. He reminisced about the era of former captain Sunday Oliseh, who was renowned for his visionary passing and ability to switch the play effectively.
"I don't want to go back in our days. We had Oliseh, who can pass the ball, switch the play," he explained. The ex-striker emphasized that the team desperately needs a midfielder with the technical quality to change and dominate the flow of a game, a role he feels is currently unfulfilled.
The AFCON 2025 Challenge
The Super Eagles, three-time African champions, have been drawn in Group C for AFCON 2025 alongside Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. Their campaign comes on the heels of the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing the pressure to deliver a strong performance in Morocco.
Coach Eric Chelle's final 28-man squad includes eight midfielders. The list features:
- Wilfred Ndidi
- Alex Iwobi
- Frank Onyeka
- Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
- Raphael Onuedika
- Usman Muhammed
- Ebenezer Akinsanmiro
- Tochukwu Nnadi
Despite these options, Aiyegbeni's critique suggests a lack of a specialized playmaker among them.
Dream Call-Up for Akinsanmiro
Amidst the tactical analysis, there is a story of personal triumph. Inter Milan's 21-year-old midfielder Ebenezer Akinsanmiro expressed overwhelming joy at his maiden senior national team call-up. The young star revealed he was moved to tears upon receiving the invitation, fulfilling a long-held dream.
"When I saw the invitation, I called someone close to me and started to cry. It has been my dream for so long," Akinsanmiro said. "I’ve been trying to play for the national team since the U-17 and U-20 levels. There were times I felt maybe I wasn’t good enough." His inclusion offers a potential spark of creativity that Aiyegbeni believes is missing.
Mikel Obi's Rallying Cry
Adding to the pre-tournament narrative, another Super Eagles legend, Mikel Obi, has urged the team to aim for the ultimate prize. Mikel, a key member of the 2013 AFCON-winning squad, has called on the current generation to bring the trophy back to Nigeria, providing an extra layer of motivation for the team as they prepare for the continental showdown.
The stage is set for AFCON 2025, and while excitement builds, the experienced eye of Yakubu Aiyegbeni has identified a crucial tactical deficiency. Whether the current ensemble of midfielders can rise to the challenge and prove the legend wrong remains one of the key storylines for Nigeria's campaign in Morocco.
