Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni says Nigeria’s midfield remains the team’s major weakness ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, warning that the current squad still lacks a true playmaker despite standout performances from several key players.

He praised Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi as Nigeria’s most influential performers in Europe but stressed that the team’s creativity deficit remains a structural risk.

Osimhen, Bassey lead Nigeria’s core performers

Yakubu described Osimhen as the emotional engine of the Super Eagles and applauded Bassey’s consistency in defence.

“Yeah, we keep talking about Victor Osimhen, he has been the number one, Nigeria’s best player,” he told SportsCasting. “He’s like a leader… he is giving everything on the pitch.”

He added: “Calvin Bassey… is really solid in the team, he is a fighter, he gives a hundred percent.”

Lookman’s form a concern ahead of AFCON

Yakubu acknowledged Lookman’s early-season dip following his failed move to Inter Milan but backed him to regain form before the tournament.

“It’s just a shame we didn’t see the best of Ademola Lookman… I hope he gets back to his best before the AFCON.”

Iwobi praised, but creativity gap remains

While commending Iwobi’s work rate, Yakubu insisted the midfielder cannot deliver the level of creativity Nigeria needs.

“Alex Iwobi has been doing all right… but we still need a creative midfielder who can pass the ball to the strikers. We don’t have it,” he said. “We don’t have Jay-Jay anymore… That’s why we struggle.”

AFCON outlook

With AFCON kicking off on December 21, all four players are expected to make Nigeria’s squad.

Yakubu maintains that their leadership and experience are essential but emphasized that Nigeria’s success depends on fixing the creativity gap in midfield.