By Dayo Awoniyi
Former Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has criticised Nigeria’s excessive reliance on Victor Osimhen, describing it as a key factor behind the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria, who have now missed back-to-back World Cup tournaments for the first time since 1994, exited the 2026 qualifying campaign at the playoff stage.
Their hopes ended on Sunday after a dramatic 1–1 draw with DR Congo, followed by a penalty shootout loss to the Leopards.
Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, Aiyegbeni said the disappointment of another World Cup miss was worsened by what he sees as an unhealthy over-dependence on Osimhen.
“We only have one striker… only one plays like a madman on the pitch. We only have Osimhen,” the former Everton forward said. “The rest are just happy to be in the national team.”
He contrasted the current situation with his playing era, when competition for attacking positions was fierce and no single player carried the entire burden.
Osimhen—who was forced off at halftime due to injury, with Akor Adams replacing him—was, according to Aiyegbeni, central to Nigeria’s hopes.
“The moment Osimhen went out… I knew the game was finished. We were tactless. No game plan,” he added.
With another World Cup opportunity missed, the Super Eagles now turn their attention to preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as they seek redemption on the continental stage.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
