Former Nigeria International, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has urged the Super Eagles campaigning at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to brace for stiffer challenges despite their opening 2-1 win against Tanzania.
Weighing in on Victor Osimhen’s display and the rhythm of Nigeria’s midfield, he stressed that the Galatasaray man did much of the hard work but lacked the final break of luck in front of goal.
The Super Eagles created plenty in Fez, building their attacks through wide movement and quick combinations around the box. Alex Iwobi dictated pockets of play, drifting between lines and linking seamlessly with Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman. That platform meant chances kept falling to Osimhen, even if the finishing touch never quite arrived on the night.
Aiyegbeni pointed to the volume of those opportunities as proof that the framework around the striker is functioning, while insisting that Nigeria cannot stop refining the creative core if they hope to go deep at AFCON 2025.
“You have Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi… they try to create chances and they create some chances for Osimhen. He was just unlucky today,” Aiyegbeni reportedly told journalist Toyosi Afolayan as per Afrikfoot after the Tanzania game. “But we still need creative midfield, but the midfield today with Chukwueze, I think he did very well.”
Iwobi’s influence backed that verdict. The midfielder stitched phases together, drove Nigeria forward in transition, and finished with two assists, underlining how central he has become to the team’s flow.
While Osimhen chased relentlessly, pressed defenders, and occupied the back line, the former Everton man acted as the connector that kept Nigeria’s attacks breathing.
The three time AFCON winners now sits second in group c after the opening day, and attention quickly turns to the next match against Tunisia on December 27 in Fez.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
