Aiyegbeni breaks silence on 2004 AFCON controversy

Former Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has spoken out about the 2004 AFCON controversy that led to his and two teammates' expulsion from the tournament. In an interview with AY Suga, Yakubu claimed the trio was wrongly accused of breaking camp rules and denied being given a chance to explain themselves. The incident occurred after the players returned to their room following time spent downstairs, and officials questioned their whereabouts.

Yakubu said he was shocked to see media reports confirming his and Victor Agali's expulsion, as it came shortly after the authorities informed them of the decision. Despite his initial decision to quit international football, officials later apologized and convinced him to return. Yakubu reflected that the lack of support from his teammates during the controversy disappointed him, and he expressed regret that he didn't have someone to push him to reach his full potential.

He suggested that having guidance could have led him to play for Real Madrid, one of his career aspirations. Reflecting on his career, Yakubu emphasized his pride in representing Nigeria, calling it a blessing and a highlight of his career. He scored 21 goals for Nigeria and remains a notable striker of his generation.