Prodigal Son: Nigerian Fans Yet To Forgive Aiyegbeni

This is not the best time for Yakubu Aiyegbeni as the crucial goal he missed during Nigeria’s Super Eagles match against South Korea in the 2010 FIFA World Cup is still haunting him badly.

Aiyegbeni was one of the array of stars who came to honour former Eagles’ skipper, Kanu Nwankwo, who was being honoured with a testimonial game at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. It was here that the out of favour Aiyegbeni discovered that he had offended soccer loving Nigeria, who instead of showering him with accolade for his display at the testimonial game, they vented their anger by booing him.

As the testimonial match continued at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, Nigeria, last Saturday, Yakubu was on every lip, as if he was the only footballer in the World football bloopers’ list with the goal he missed against the Asians at the World Cup.

The fans were hell bent as they booed every step the player took in an entertaining match, which featured both ex-footballers and current stars who came to Lagos from various clubs across Europe.

Whenever the former player of Macabi Haifa touches the ball, the fans reacted with harsh words to express their anger.

As if they rehearsed their lines, the fans ensured that Yakubu did not enjoy his day, but the development didn’t go down with the organisers of the testimonial.

While the likes of Cameroon’s four-time African football of the year and Inter Milan of Italy striker, Samuel Eto’o Fils, Gov Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Togo and Real Madrid striker, Emmanuel Adebayor and the others savoured the occasion, it was a miserable evening for Yakubu.

Yakubu came in as substitute in the encounetr, but while he was waiting at the touchline , the fans ridiculed him. As soon as he moved on to join other players in the Eagles, the fans shouted on top of their voices and booed each time the ball gets to him. Yakubu, who consistently waved to appease the angry Nigerian fans, was so embarrased that he was forced to call for his replacement.

Although, the Eagles defeated friends of Kanu 3-1, the bulky striker was a subject of ridicule, but he escaped through the cover of the night as the fans were ready to pounce on him.

Kanu, celebrant of the day who signed for Inter Milan of Italy before the club’s doctors diagnosed to discover that he had a hole in his heart, got the curtain raiser, while Ikechukwu Uche of Zaragoza of Spain increased the tally before half time of the tie.

Adebayor reduced the tally few minutes later, but Ike Uche was on target again for the Babatunde Fashola-skippered side.

At the end of the encounter, Yakubu summoned the courage to beg the thousands of Nigerian fans. As he looked round the stands, he said: “I know that I offended you, please, forgive me for my mistakes at the World Cup in South Africa.”

While fielding questions from journalists, yakubu said: “It is normal that if you play a game and fans don’t like it, they will boo you. I missed a chance to score in South Africa; I just want to say I am sorry about it, I want the fans to forgive and forget and let us move on.”

The burly striker has not put on Nigeria’s green jersey since South Africa 2010, but he says he would give his all if given another chance by the coaches and he believes that Nigeria will qualify for next year’s African Cup of Nations final in Gabon/Equatorial Guinea.

“Of course, if I am not ready to serve my country, I won’t be here today (Saturday) to play for Kanu. This is my country, my home, and I am enjoying it, I’m like everyone who want to play for his country.”

“If you look at the Cameroonians they are struggling, so many other African countries are struggling too, so for us to be here today, we have to stick together and work together, I believe we will qualify for the Nations Cup.”

Aiyegbeni indicated that he will be returning to Everton at the start of the new season, “I still have a subsisting contract with Everton, I have to go back. It is really good for me to be here to play for Kanu and with other older ones, it is really an honour.”

—Adebobola Alawode