Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has highlighted a worrying lack of creativity in Nigeria’s midfield as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations draws closer, despite applauding the influence of several key players currently starring in Europe.
Speaking to SportsCasting, Aiyegbeni identified Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi as Nigeria’s standout performers abroad, praising their attitude, work rate and importance to the national team.
Aiyegbeni, Nigeria’s highest-scoring player in Premier League history, described Osimhen as the driving force of the Super Eagles. Now at Galatasaray, Osimhen has, he said, become “the emotional engine” of the squad.
“Victor Osimhen has been the number one, Nigeria’s best player,” Aiyegbeni noted. “He’s like a leader in the team. You see the aggression and the fight—he gives everything on the pitch.”
He also hailed Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, whom he considers a cornerstone of Nigeria’s back line. “Bassey has been really solid. He’s a fighter and always gives a hundred per cent,” he said.
Both Osimhen and Bassey played key roles in Nigeria’s run to last year’s AFCON final, providing intensity and physical strength that defined José Peseiro’s approach. Although their club seasons have been inconsistent, Aiyegbeni insisted their commitment to the national side has never wavered.
Concerns Over Creativity as AFCON Approaches
Aiyegbeni expressed concern over the recent dip in form of Ademola Lookman following his unsuccessful transfer attempt from Atalanta to Inter Milan. Despite this, he remains hopeful that the winger will regain sharpness before the tournament.
“It’s a shame we didn’t see the best of Lookman recently,” he said. “Situations at clubs can affect players, but I hope he gets back to form before AFCON. We missed him in the qualifiers because he wasn’t the Lookman we know. Football has ups and downs, but he’s still a very good player.”
He also addressed Alex Iwobi’s role, acknowledging the midfielder’s work ethic but stressing that Nigeria still lacks a true playmaker—particularly in the mould of Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha.
“Iwobi has been all right,” Aiyegbeni said. “He works hard, but we still need a creative midfielder who can supply the strikers. Alex isn’t that type—he keeps the ball moving, but we need someone who can play forward. We don’t have Jay-Jay anymore, and that’s the problem. We have too many defensive midfielders and not enough creativity, which is why we struggle for goals.”
With AFCON set to begin on 21 December, Osimhen, Bassey, Lookman and Iwobi are all expected to make the final squad. The quartet were crucial during last year’s tournament, where Nigeria finished as runners-up to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
Aiyegbeni believes their influence, leadership and experience can again shape Nigeria’s campaign—provided Lookman returns to form and, crucially, the team finds a genuine playmaker to link midfield and attack.
