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Former Everton star Yakubu Aiyegbeni on Super Eagles midfield. Copyright: Imago<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Former Everton<\/a> striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has weighed in on Nigeria\u2019s opening-night victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations<\/a>, Soccernet.ng reports.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Nigeria\u2019s AFCON 2025 campaign got off to a solid start in Fes as the Super Eagles secured a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their Group C opener.<\/p>\n The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Hull City defender Semi Ajayi headed home a perfectly lofted cross from Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi.<\/p>\n Tanzania\u2019s Charles M\u2019mombwa equalised briefly, only for Ademola Lookman to restore Nigeria\u2019s lead just two minutes later, securing all three points for the Super Eagles.<\/p>\n Former Nigeria striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni praised the team\u2019s midfield display and specifically noted the progress from previous concerns about creativity.<\/p>\n \u201cI can say today is much better,\u201d Yakubu told Soccernet.ng. \u201cYou have [Samuel] Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi\u2026 they try to create chances and they create some chances for [Victor] Osimhen. He was just unlucky today. But we still need creative midfield, but the midfield today with Chukwueze, I think he did very well.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Earlier, the former Nigerian international discussed Nigeria’s lack of inventive midfielders capable of linking play to create goalscoring opportunities.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the likes of Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze\u2014playing deeper roles\u2014seem to be starting to fill the creative void in midfield.<\/p>\n Samuel Chukwueze came close to scoring several times, while Victor Osimhen worked tirelessly as the focal point of Nigeria\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n Despite missing chances, the Galatasaray striker remained a constant threat, with former Everton star Yakubu insisting he worked so hard for the team and was simply unlucky not to score.<\/a><\/p>\n Semi Ajayi capped an impressive display by earning Man of the Match honours, with Ademola Lookman sealing victory for Nigeria.<\/p>\n With Tunisia awaiting on December 27, the Super Eagles have sent an early warning to their group rivals<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NS-Image-Zoom-Email3.png\")
Soccer Ex-Everton on Super Eagles’ midfield qualities<\/h2>\n
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Watch former Super Eagles star Yakubu Aiyegbeni’s comment here:<\/h3>\n
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Soccer Nigeria assert dominance<\/h2>\n
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