In the lifetime of every football, there are moments that shapes the course of their careers, also events that they remember more than others and for former Everton striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni it was not reaching a 100 premier league goals despite being so close.
Softfootball recalls that the former Super Eagles of Nigeria forward had an injury that kept him out for 11 months and thereby finishing fifth in the all-time topscorers list to ever play in the premier league. He was behind Mohammed Salah, Saido Mane, Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Adebayor.
However, Aiyegbeni enjoyed massive success in the premier league, playing for Postsmouth, Everton and Middlesborough where he bullied defenders and scored goals to help his teams. Yakubu was a fine finisher back at Goodison Park but these days Everton plays at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and the Toffees first result there was a 2-0 win over Brighton.
During a recent podcast aired via Sky sports premier league’s official Youtube channel, Yakaku recalls his goalscoring adventures in the premier league.
It’s massive when you mention these names Adebayor, Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Didier Drogba. To be in the list is unbelievable. Scoring goals in one of the best leagues in the world, the premier league. To be top five and highest Nigerian striker. Records are meant to be broken but to be in the list is an honour. The premier league is difficult to score goals and you see a lot of players struggle because it is a hard league but to be in among those set of players is an honour.
I’m very proud of scoring 95 goals in the premier league. I have seen a lot of players scoring 100 goals but I didn’t have the chance to do it because I was injured. I wished I didn’t get injured for 11 months, I think it was five goals more to become 100 but I’m not greedy, I’m honoured and pleased that I scored 95 goals in one of the toughest leagues in the world. The boy from Benin scoring 95 goals in the premier league, I’m very grateful.
The former Everton star also used the opportunity to reveal his tough upbringing and how it shaped his playing career. Watch the full video shared via Sky sports premier league’s official Youtube channel.
Aiyegbeni scored a total of 95 premier league goals and retired at 35 years. He is fifth in the all-time African players topscorers chart and the Nigerian with the highest premier league goals. He made his debut for Nigeria in 2000 and scored 21 goals in 58 appearances for the Super Eagles.
