Yakubu Ayegbeni Gets National Team’s Attention

Compiled by Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Nigerian forward Yakubu Ayegbeni’s found himself back on the national team’s radar after scoring two goals in Blackburn’s 4-3 victory over Arsenal in the English Premier League this past weekend. The Nigerian national coaching staff has reportedly taken note of this accomplishment and is considering bringing Ayegbeni back into the fold.

Yakubu had a forgettable World Cup in 2010 where he only managed a goal from the spot and missed a very important opportunity to get his country a second round ticket in the game against South Korea. Since then, the big striker has been frozen out of the team and many of his countrymen thought the worst of him. Yakubu is now playing great football with Blackburn and is being considered for a recall.

“Yakubu had a bad time in the national team but we are happy that he has taken the right step to resolve his career,” national team assistant coach Simon Kalika told SuperSport “ Coach Siasia is considering the two of them [Ayegbeni and team-mate Obefemi Martins] for call-ups to the team. They are very good players that will add quality and experience to the side.”

Whether they will return to the Super Eagles for their African Cup of Nations clash with Guinea next month is not certain, but they will surely be delighted to know that their new found form has not gone unnoticed.

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