We don't have that — Yakubu Aiyegbeni reveals what Super Eagles need to win AFCON

Super Eagles legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni has expressed concerns about Nigeria's prospects at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), specifically citing a lack of creativity in the midfield.

Aiyegbeni called on key attacking stars like Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi to elevate their performance.

“There have been two or three really impressive players, it’s just a shame we didn’t see the best of Ademola Lookman, he is another good one," Aiyegbeni told SportsCasting.

“It’s just the situation with his club, I hope he gets back to his best before the AFCON, so that he can help us. We did miss him in the qualifiers, for the games we played, we really missed him because he was not the Lookman that we know."

The former Middlesbrough striker also commented on Alex Iwobi, acknowledging the midfielder's work rate while noting his difference from his legendary uncle, Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha:

“Alex Iwobi has been alright, he has been doing all right as well,” Aiyegbeni said.“He is running around, but we still need a creative midfielder in the team who can pass the ball to the strikers, we don’t have one.

"Alex is not the guy who can pass the ball to the striker, he is just buzzing around, getting the ball, passing it. We need someone who can pass forward."

Aiyegbeni insists that the core issue lies in the absence of a player who can consistently unlock defenses with a killer pass, stating.

“We don’t have Jay-Jay anymore, so we don’t have it. That’s the problem we have with the national team: we need a creative midfielder who can pass the ball effectively. We have too many defensive midfielders, but the defense is quite solid. But maybe not enough goals at the moment. No, that’s why we struggle.”

With the AFCON set to kick off on December 21st, the Super Eagles possess players with the required quality and experience, especially after reaching the final in the last edition in Côte d’Ivoire.

However, Aiyegbeni believes their collective quality will only deliver the trophy if Lookman returns to his best form and the team successfully installs that much-needed creative heartbeat in midfield.