Yakubu Misses Another Close-Range Shot in Match Against Micah Richards.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni, the former Super Eagles striker, is once again trending on social media, but not for reasons he’d like. A viral video capturing his recent return to the football pitch at Goodison Park, the home of his former club Everton, has reignited memories of his infamous miss at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Yakubu was invited to participate in halftime festivities during Everton’s Premier League season opener against Brighton and Hove Albion. As part of the entertainment, he was challenged to take penalty shots against makeshift goalkeepers, including former Manchester City defender Micah Richards and Merseyside boxing legend Tony Bellew. Despite the casual setting, Yakubu’s performance was far from what fans had hoped for. In two attempts, the Nigerian legend failed to score, with his shots either missing the target or being easily saved by Richards. The video of these missed opportunities quickly went viral, drawing attention and sparking discussions across social media platforms.
The incident brought back painful memories for Nigerian football fans who vividly recall Yakubu’s infamous miss during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. In a crucial Group B match against South Korea, Nigeria needed a victory to advance to the round of 16. The Super Eagles were trailing 2-1 when Yakubu found himself in a prime position to equalize. Ayila Yussuf sent a perfect pass through the South Korean defense, leaving Yakubu with an open goal just four yards out. To the shock of millions of fans watching around the world, Yakubu pushed the ball wide of the left post, missing what seemed to be a guaranteed goal. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, and Nigeria was eliminated from the tournament.
Yakubu’s miss against South Korea has since become one of the most talked-about moments in World Cup history, often cited as one of the most glaring misses in the sport. The recent viral video at Everton only served to remind fans of that moment, leading to a resurgence of discussions and even some lighthearted calls for his “arrest” on social media, a testament to how deeply the memory of that miss has etched itself into the minds of Nigerian football fans.
The latest episode has sparked a wave of nostalgia and frustration among supporters, with many jokingly questioning whether Yakubu’s misfortune in front of goal is a curse that follows him. Despite the friendly nature of the recent event, the echoes of his 2010 World Cup miss continue to haunt Yakubu, cementing his place in football folklore for all the wrong reasons.
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