Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Ayegbeni has urged the national team to address what he describes as a growing lack of creativity in midfield, insisting that the current set-up is overloaded with defensive-minded players.
Speaking on the state of the squad, Ayegbeni noted that while Alex Iwobi has been “alright” in his role, the team is missing a true playmaker capable of supplying decisive final balls to the attackers.
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According to the former Everton forward, the Super Eagles have not had a natural creative orchestrator since the era of Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, and that gap continues to affect the team’s attacking output.
“Alex Iwobi has been alright, but we still need a creative midfielder in the team who can pass the ball to the strikers. We don’t have that,” Ayegbeni said.
“Alex is not the guy who can pass the ball to the striker. He is just buzzing around, getting the ball and passing it sideways. We need someone who can pass forward.”
Ayegbeni stressed that the current midfield composition is too defensive, limiting the team’s ability to break down opponents, especially in tight international fixtures.
His comments come at a time when fans and analysts have continued to debate the balance of the Super Eagles’ midfield as Nigeria prepares for upcoming international engagements.
Ayegbeni’s remarks are expected to spark fresh conversations around squad selection, player development, and the search for a modern-day creative fulcrum capable of giving Nigeria’s attack the spark it once enjoyed under legends such as Okocha.
