Yakubu Aiyegbeni is one of Nigeria’s greatest-ever footballers. However, that does not even begin to describe him.
When you speak about some of the finest strikers to grace the Premier League, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, or ‘The Yak’ as he is fondly called in England, is a name that resonates.
Yes, in some parts of the world, especially Nigeria, he is remembered more for the chance he missed at the World Cup, (we will get to that later), but despite that black spot in his career, he remains a legendary figure in Nigerian and African football history.
In this article, we examine the life and career of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, the Super Eagles goalscoring legend.
Who is Yakubu Aiyegbeni?
Yakubu Aiyegbeni, fondly known as Yak, is a retired Nigerian professional footballer who made a huge impact and left an unforgettable mark on the beautiful game.
Born ( 22 November 1982) in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, Yakubu’s football journey is one of pure inspiration and hard work.
Early Career
Yakubu Aiyegbeni began his football career in Nigeria, where he played for Julius Berger FC (now Bridge FC) in the Nigerian Premier League.
His impressive performances caught the attention of Israeli club Maccabi Haifa, who signed him in 2003. Yakubu’s time in Israel was marked by incredible goal-scoring form, which earned him a reputation as a clinical finisher.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni: Premier League Adventure
In 2003, Yakubu moved to English football, joining Portsmouth on loan. His impressive performances during this loan spell led to a permanent transfer in May 2003.
Yakubu scored consistently at Portsmouth and he quickly became a fan favorite.
He scored 16 goals in the 2003-04 season, making him the club’s leading scorer and joint-sixth highest scorer in the Premier League.
Middlesbrough and Everton
In 2005, Yakubu joined Middlesbrough for a record fee of £7.5 million. During his time at the Riverside Stadium, Yakubu continued to impress with his goal-scoring. He helped Middlesbrough reach the 2006 UEFA Cup Final, where they ultimately lost to Sevilla.
In 2007, Yakubu joined Everton for a fee of £11.25 million. He made an instant impact at Goodison Park, scoring 11 minutes into his debut against Bolton Wanderers. Yakubu quickly became a key player for the Toffees and remains a club icon till this day.
International Career
Yakubu made his international debut for Nigeria in 2000, scoring his first goal against Namibia in 2001. He went on to represent Nigeria at several international tournaments, including the 2002 African Cup of Nations, where he scored the winning goal in the third-place playoff against Mali.
Yakubu’s most notable international moment came during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Although Nigeria failed to progress beyond the group stages, Yakubu’s penalty against South Korea ensured a 2-2 draw.
Career Stats & Achievements
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s accolades
Club Level
– Premier League: 96 goals in 288 appearances, making him the 4th highest African scorer in the Premier League.
– Championship: 35 goals in 74 appearances, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess in England’s second tier.
– Other Leagues: Over 100 goals across spells in Turkey, China, and Qatar, demonstrating his adaptability and consistency in various leagues.
International Level
– Nigeria: 21 goals in 58 appearances, cementing his position as the 4th highest scorer in Nigerian football history.
– World Cup: 1 goal in 3 appearances, highlighting his contributions to Nigeria’s World Cup campaigns.
Accolades
– Premier League Golden Boot Runner-up (2003-04): A testament to his impressive goal-scoring form during the 2003-04 season.
– Pompey Player of the Season (2003-04): Recognition of his outstanding performances for Portsmouth during the same season.
– Top Scorer: Portsmouth all-time Premier League Goals: A lasting legacy as Portsmouth’s highest scorer in the Premier League era.
The infamous miss and World Cup heartbreak
On June 22, 2010, Nigeria’s Super Eagles clashed with South Korea in their final Group B match at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Nigeria’s World Cup campaign had been disappointing, with losses to Argentina and Greece, and their only hope of advancing was to win against South Korea.
The match saw Nigeria take an early lead through Kalu Uche’s 12th-minute goal, but South Korea fought back with goals from Lee Jung-Soo and Park Chu-Young, taking a 2-1 lead. In the 66th minute, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nigeria’s star striker, had a chance to equalize. Ayila Yussuf’s pass found Yakubu just four yards from the empty goal, but he shockingly pushed the ball wide of the left post.
“I thought it was a goal already,” Yakubu recalled on his Feed the Yak podcast.
“There was a massive big scream there [the stadium]. I was watching the replay, I was chewing gum, I was smiling inside me like ‘How did I miss this one?'”
Three minutes later, Yakubu redeemed himself by calmly scoring a penalty to level the score at 2-2.
However, the damage was done, and Nigeria was eliminated from the World Cup with just one point. South Korea advanced to the round of 16 with four points.
Will Nigerians forgive Yakubu Aiyegbeni?
Over a decade later, Yakubu still faces abuse from Nigerian fans for that missed chance.
“It is so sad when I see their Instagram stuff, I call them rats because if you keep talking about 14 years ago, about one miss, I even scored a penalty in that same game,” Yakubu said.
Yakubu revealed that he still receives messages from fans, some of whom even mention his daughter’s name. “He mentioned my daughter’s name. Some even said my grandmother could even score that goal. It was so unreal. I’ve scored goals in the Premier League, 95 goals in over 200 games, and now you are still telling me I’m the worst striker ever.”
Despite the criticism, Yakubu remains proud of his achievements, including his impressive goal-scoring record in the Premier League.
“I’ve done something that most people can only dream of, and that’s playing in the World Cup and scoring goals,” Yakubu said. “I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, and I won’t let one missed chance define my career.”
Networth & Salary
Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s net worth is estimated to be around $15 million. His successful football career, which spanned over two decades, earned him a significant amount of money.
Additionally, his various endorsement deals and business ventures have contributed to his net worth.
Is Yakubu Aiyegbeni married?
Yakubu married Yvonne Lameen Ikhana, the daughter of former Nigerian footballer and coach Kadiri Ikhana, in 2008. The couple has two daughters, Kayla and Katriel.
Yakubu is known to be a devoted family man and often returns to Nigeria to give back to his community and invest in grassroots football projects.
Late Career and Retirement
After leaving Everton, Yakubu played for several clubs, including Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers, and Reading. He eventually retired from professional football in 2017, at the age of 34.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s football career is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and natural talent. Although his name is often associated with a glaring miss, his legacy in Nigerian football is undeniable.
As a devoted family man and philanthropist, Yakubu continues to make a positive impact on and off the pitch.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s legacy in Nigerian football is undeniable. With 21 goals in 58 appearances, he is the fourth-highest scorer in Nigerian history.
His tally of 96 Premier League goals makes him one of the most prolific African strikers in the competition’s history.
Where is Yakubu Aiyegbeni now?
Since hanging up his boots in 2017, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has embarked on a new journey as a football agent, driven by a passion to inspire and nurture the next generation of footballers.
Through his company, Wilbury Sports Management, Aiyegbeni aims to provide aspiring players and coaches with the guidance and support they need to achieve their footballing dreams.
“I’m now retired, but I can’t walk away from football,” Aiyegbeni revealed in an interview.
“It’s not just all about being a football agent, it’s about hard work, just like the way I played football. This is the next chapter, and I want to learn, I’m learning every day.”
What sets Aiyegbeni apart from other agents is his commitment to genuinely supporting his clients, rather than just seeking financial gains.
“Other agents just want to sign the players; they don’t care if they train, it’s up to you. But I don’t want to be one of those agents just taking the money. I want to teach these boys how to become better players.”
