Nigerians Haven't Forgiven Me For World Cup Miss - Yakubu Aiyegbeni

Former Super Eagles striker, Yakubu Ayegbeni has revealed that he still receives messages from Nigerians over his miss at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Recall that after defeats to Argentina and Greece in Nigeria's first two matches in South Africa, Lars Lagerback’s men needed a win to qualify for the Round of 16, but Yakubu's unbelievable miss of an open net ensured that Nigeria were sent packing after the first round.

Ten years down the line, Ayegbeni revealed that Nigerians still send him messages to show their annoyance for that slip-up.

"I felt bad when I missed it but people still talk about it and are saying if I had scored, we should have gone to the next round"

"Even if I scored, are we going to win the World Cup? That I am not sure of."

"I have sored so many goals for Nigeria and even when people thought we will never qualify for the World Cup, I stood up to be counted."

"I have always done my best to help the country but it’s weird that people still send me messages till date even on social media about that miss."

"They would write things like ‘I never forget o, I never forget the goal wey you miss o’ [I haven’t forgotten the goal you missed], ‘we no go forgive you o’ [we won’t forgive you], etc and I would be like wow."

The former Everton forward however said he no regrets playing for the Super Eagles, though he feels stunned Nigerians won’t forget his miss against South Korea in 2010.

"Ten years in the national team was great and wearing the green and white jersey was an honour for me. I still watch some of my goals with my kids."

"Also, playing in the national team was a joy for me because that was my childhood dream."

"As a player, you want to play for your country and I’m glad I did so graduating to the Super Eagles after playing for the U23 team."

"I was also opportune to play at the South Africa World Cup where I scored a goal. I have no regrets whatsoever despite my miss against South Korea."

Ayegbeni is Nigeria’s third-highest all-time goalscorer with 21 goals from 57 caps.