Yakubu Aiyegbeni Sends Message to Nigerians Over Missed Chance at 2010 FIFA World Cup

• Yakubu Aiyegbeni has urged Nigerians to forget about the chance he missed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
• Yak had the opportunity to draw Nigeria level against South Korea with an easy tap-in, but his effort went wide
• He later went on to net the equaliser, but the earlier miss proved costly as Nigeria crashed out in the group phase

Former Nigerian international Yakubu Aiyegbeni has expressed disappointment that Nigerians still remember the begging-chance he missed during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles were training South Korea 2-1 in their final Group A match of the FIFA World Cup game when Yakubu missed a tap-in.

He later went on to score from the spot helping Nigeria to earn a point as it ended 2-2.

Perhaps if the former Portsmouth striker had netted that 'epic miss', Nigeria could have edged the Asians to qualify for the Round of 16, The Cable reports.

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Fourteen years later, Yakubu urged fans to forget about his miss, saying there are more pressing issues in Nigeria.

Speaking in a recent episode of FeedTheYak Podcast, the 41-year-old stated that the problem in Nigeria is beyond football.

He said:

"Nigerians need to let go. Our problem in Nigeria is not football. They should focus on the reality in Nigeria than focus on Alex Iwobi, than Yak missing the goal. We have bigger problems in Nigeria."

Fans have taken to the comment section of the post to react. One said:

"We deserve an apology. I lost my appetite that day 2010."

Another added:

"We have bigger fish to fry."

Yakubu is one of Nigeria's most prolific goalscorers, with over 200 career goals.

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Sports Brief earlier reported that Yakubu Aiyegbeni also urged Nigerian football fans to stop comparing Alex Iwobi to mercurial midfielder Jay Jay Okocha.

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Iwobi faced heavy criticisms from Nigerians despite helping the Super Eagles to finish the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast as runner-up.

The Fulham star was singled out for blame after hosts Ivory Coast came from behind to deny the Eagles a fourth continental title.