Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has opened up about his enduring frustration with the persistent criticism he faces from Nigerians regarding a missed goal dating back 13 to 14 years ago.
Reflecting on the infamous incident from June 22, 2010, during a World Cup match between Nigeria and South Korea, Aiyegbeni expressed his dismay over the relentless scrutiny he continues to endure from football enthusiasts.
The unforgettable miss unfolded as Nigeria trailed South Korea 2-1 in their final Group A encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in South Africa. Despite later redeeming himself with a penalty goal, Aiyegbeni found that Super Eagles fans were unwilling to forgive or forget his earlier error.
In a recent interview shared on social media platform X, Aiyegbeni lamented receiving ongoing messages from disgruntled fans. Some even questioned how he would explain the miss to his daughter, Kayla.
Reflecting on his significant contributions to Nigerian football, Aiyegbeni highlighted his pivotal role in securing qualification for the Korea-Japan 2002 World Cup. He emphasized scoring crucial goals in Sudan that propelled the national team to the global stage. Yet, he remains overshadowed by the lingering memory of the missed opportunity against South Korea.
Despite his notable contributions to Nigerian football history, Aiyegbeni expressed disappointment that his achievements are often overlooked. The focus tends to be solely on his missed goal. He underscored the need for recognition of his broader contributions to the sport, urging fans to acknowledge his pivotal role in Nigeria’s football journey.
