Former Nigeria and Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has picked his greatest Super Eagles XI, with Victor Osimhen and John Obi Mikel among the notable players left out, Soccernet.ng reports.
Yakubu made his choices in a video published by the official Nigeria national team account on X. His team combines players from Nigeria’s famous 1990s generation with footballers he played alongside during his own international career.
The 43-year-old chose Vincent Enyeama in goal, while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu and Celestine Babayaro formed his defence.
Sunday Oliseh and Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha were placed in central midfield. Julius Aghahowa and Finidi George occupied the wide positions, with Nwankwo Kanu playing alongside Yakubu in attack.
The selection is striking because it includes only one player from Nigeria’s current generation, Osayi-Samuel, while leaving out several famous names, including Mikel, Osimhen and Rashidi Yekini.
Super Eagles: Yakubu’s XI and the stories behind the choices
Enyeama was the clear choice in goal. The former Enyimba and Lille goalkeeper won 101 caps for Nigeria and played at three World Cups. One of Africa’s greatest shot-stoppers, Enyeama played alongside Yakubu during the 2000s and 2010s.
At right-back, Yakubu made one of his most unexpected decisions by selecting Osayi-Samuel. The defender did not play for Nigeria until 2022, more than a decade after Yakubu’s final international appearance. He had previously played as a winger before becoming a right-back, particularly during his time at Fenerbahce.
Osayi-Samuel was part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His inclusion gives the XI a clear link to the modern Super Eagles, even though most of Yakubu’s choices come from earlier generations.
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In central defence, Yakubu selected Yobo and Shittu. Yobo is one of the most decorated players in the XI. He earned 101 international caps, played at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cups and won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. The former Fenerbahçe defender recorded more than 250 Premier League appearances for Everton during his club career.
Shittu won 32 caps for Nigeria’s Super Eagles between 2002 and 2010. His international career included the 2010 World Cup, where he was part of the squad in South Africa.
Babayaro completes the defence at left-back ahead of Taye Taiwo. He won 27 caps and played at the 1998 World Cup. He also had a long spell at Chelsea, making 132 Premier League appearances for the London club.
Yakubu then placed Oliseh and Okocha together in midfield. It is a partnership that carries strong memories of Nigeria’s golden generation. Oliseh was known for his strength, passing and ability to control the centre of the pitch, while Okocha provided creativity and skill. Okocha won 73 caps and scored 14 goals for Nigeria. He also captained the Super Eagles at the 2002 World Cup.
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Yakubu has previously argued that Oliseh was a better midfielder than Mikel. That opinion helps explain why the former Chelsea midfielder did not make the XI, despite winning the 2013 AFCON and making 249 Premier League appearances.
The wide positions go to Aghahowa and Finidi. Aghahowa became famous for his speed and acrobatic goal celebrations. He scored twice against Senegal in the 2000 AFCON quarter-final in Lagos, including a late equaliser and winner, in one of the memorable moments of Nigeria’s tournament history. He also finished as joint top scorer at the 2002 AFCON with three goals.
Finidi is often regarded as the finest right winger in Nigeria’s football history. The former Ajax winger won 62 caps and scored six goals for Nigeria. He was part of the team that won the 1994 AFCON and reached the last 16 at the 1994 World Cup.
Up front, Kanu features alongside Yakubu. Kanu won two African Player of the Year awards and helped Nigeria win Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996. He also won two Premier League titles with Arsenal.
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Yakubu picked himself as the main striker. His Nigeria career produced 21 goals in 57 matches, while his Premier League record was even stronger. He scored 95 goals in 252 Premier League appearances for Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton and Blackburn Rovers, making him Nigeria’s highest-scoring player in the competition.
By picking himself and Kanu, Yakubu snubbed Osimhen, who is already the Super Eagles’ second all-time highest goalscorer behind Rashidi Yekini.
Yakubu’s XI also leaves out other major Super Eagles names such as Yekini, Daniel Amokachi, Obafemi Martins and Victor Ikpeba. Yekini, Nigeria’s all-time leading AFCON scorer with 13 goals, is perhaps the most striking omission from a team built around Nigerian football history.
The final line-up is therefore:
Vincent Enyeama; Bright Osayi-Samuel, Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu, Celestine Babayaro; Sunday Oliseh, Austin Okocha; Julius Aghahowa, Finidi George; Nwankwo Kanu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
