Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has revealed that even 15 years after his infamous miss at the 2010 World Cup match against Korea, Nigerian fans still criticize him for what many describe as one of the most unforgettable moments in Nigerian football history.
In that match, Aiyegbeni missed a golden opportunity to score into an empty net, with both the goalkeeper and defender beaten inside the six-yard box. The miss ultimately contributed to Nigeria’s elimination from the tournament.
Fans Haven’t Forgotten
Speaking on a podcast, Aiyegbeni shared his experience dealing with the relentless reminders from fans.
“I still get messages from people, different people on that miss,” he said.
“One person even asked how I would explain that miss to my daughter Kayla. I was like, wow, after 13 or 14 years, people still think about that moment.”
The former striker also recalled another message where someone described him as the worst Super Eagles striker ever.
“It hurts because fans only seem to remember that miss, but they forget the efforts I made to help Nigeria qualify for the World Cup,” he lamented.
A Heroic Past Overlooked
Aiyegbeni recounted his contributions to Nigeria’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup, where he scored twice in a crucial match against Sudan.
“We went to Sudan when no one thought we would qualify because the weather was terrible. It was so hot, and if we had lost or drawn, we wouldn’t have made it.
I scored two goals, Julius Aghahowa and Jay Jay Okocha also scored, and we won 4-0 to secure our spot,” he explained.
Despite playing almost all the qualification matches for that World Cup, Aiyegbeni was eventually dropped from the squad, a decision he still finds hard to forget.
“Nigerians don’t talk about that. They only focus on the one miss in 2010, but I played 99.9% of the games to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup,” he added.
Reflecting on His Legacy
Aiyegbeni’s story highlights the challenges athletes face in dealing with public perception.
While one moment may overshadow years of hard work, it serves as a reminder that a single event shouldn’t define a player’s legacy.
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