Aiyegbeni snubs Yekini, Mikel in greatest Eagles XI

Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has sparked controversy by excluding both Rashidi Yekini and John Obi Mikel from his selection of the greatest-ever Nigeria starting eleven. The list, shared on the official Super Eagles account on X, also failed to feature Victor Osimhen, who is now Nigeria's second-highest all-time goalscorer.

Yakubu's choice of players for the team includes Vincent Enyeama in goal, alongside Bright Osayi-Samuel, Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu, and Celestine Babayaro in the back four. In central midfield, Sunday Oliseh and Austin "Jay-Jay" Okocha were selected, while Julius Aghahowa and Finidi George occupied the wide positions. Up front, Yakubu chose himself and Nwankwo Kanu.

Osayi-Samuel, who made his Super Eagles debut in 2022, was the only representative of the current generation in a team built around Nigeria's celebrated sides from the 1990s and 2000s.