Aiyegbeni Breaks Silence on 2004 AFCON Controversy

Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has broken his silence on the controversy that saw him, Victor Agali and Celestine Babayaro sent home from Nigeria’s squad during the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

Yakubu said the three players were wrongly accused of breaking camp rules and were not given an opportunity to defend themselves before being ordered to leave the tournament.

Speaking in an interview with Nigerian sports interviewer and YouTube content creator AY Suga, monitored by PUNCH Online on Wednesday, Yakubu insisted that they did not violate camp rules.

“We didn’t break the camp,” he said, claiming that the decision to send them home had already been taken before they were called to a meeting.

According to Yakubu, he, Agali and Babayaro had returned to their room after spending time downstairs when officials later questioned their whereabouts.

He recalled being told to pack his belongings and leave the camp. Shortly afterwards, he said, he saw a television report announcing that he and Agali had been sent home for allegedly breaking camp rules.

Yakubu said he was shocked by the development because the media report appeared almost immediately after officials informed them of the decision.

He subsequently told the authorities that he would quit international football. However, officials later visited his home, apologised and persuaded him to return to the Super Eagles.

Reflecting on the incident, Yakubu said he was particularly disappointed that none of his teammates stood up for the affected players or challenged the decision.

He said the controversy had become part of his experience with the national team and that he had since moved on.

Yakubu also reflected on his club career, saying he believed he could have reached an even higher level and possibly played for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

“I didn’t have people who pushed me to where I am today. I pushed myself to play at that level,” he said.

The former Everton and Middlesbrough striker added that having someone to guide and encourage him could have helped him achieve more.

“I wish I had someone behind me who could say, ‘You can do more’ and push yourself to another level. I should have played for Real Madrid,” Yakubu said.

Yakubu enjoyed a successful career in England, featuring for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Everton, and became one of Nigeria’s notable Premier League goalscorers.

He also represented the Super Eagles at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Reflecting on his international career, Yakubu described representing Nigeria as a blessing and one of the highlights of his career.

“For me, playing for Nigeria is special. Growing up watching these big guys and then playing with them, for me to put on that shirt is a blessing,” he said.

Yakubu scored 21 goals for Nigeria and remains one of the country’s notable strikers of his generation.