Yakubu Aiyegbeni Points Out Key Midfield Gap in Super Eagles Ahead of AFCON 2025

Former Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni has raised concerns about a major weakness in the Super Eagles squad as preparations continue for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, the ex-Everton striker argued that Nigeria currently lacks a truly creative, tempo-controlling midfielder, similar to former captain Sunday Oliseh, who could dictate play and influence games from the centre of the pitch.

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle recently named a 28-man squad for the tournament, featuring midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Usman Muhammed, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika and Tochukwu Nnadi. Despite the depth, Yakubu believes the balance is still not quite right.

“Nigeria needs a proper midfielder who can pass the ball because we have too many defensive midfielders,” Aiyegbeni said.
“Ndidi and Onyeka can only pass the ball sideways. We had Oliseh, who could switch play and control the tempo. We need a creative midfielder who can pass the ball very well, and right now we’re lacking that.”

Opinion: Is Nigeria’s Midfield Built for Control or Just Containment?

Yakubu’s assessment touches on a long-running debate about the Super Eagles’ midfield identity. Nigeria rarely struggles for energy, physicality, or ball-winning ability, but controlling games—especially against organised African sides—has often been a challenge.

While players like Ndidi, Onyeka and Onyedika excel at breaking up play, modern international football demands more than defensive solidity. Tournaments like AFCON are often decided by moments of composure, vision, and creativity in midfield—qualities once provided by players like Sunday Oliseh or John Obi Mikel in his prime.

That said, Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru could still offer creative solutions if deployed more centrally and given freedom to express themselves. The real test for Eric Chelle will be how he blends industry with imagination.

Ultimately, AFCON success may depend on whether Nigeria can control games with the ball, not just without it. Yakubu’s warning is timely—and if addressed tactically, it could be the difference between another near-miss and lifting the trophy in Morocco.