The mention of Yakubu Ayegbeni brings many memories to Nigerians. The most resounding is that of the striker missing a sitter at the World Cup that cost the Super Eagles a chance of securing a second round passage. Since then, he has become the most riled figure in Nigerian football.
However, Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has asked Nigerians to stop blaming the Leicester City man for Nigeria's 2010 World Cup meltdown, but says he will keep the forward out of the team for the time being, in the player's own interest.
Ayegbeni has hit four goals in six appearances for the Foxes, and is gradually looking back to his best goal scoring form, but Siasia says he will leave him out until the team stabilizes.
"We cannot take a chance on Yakubu now. This country will catch fire," Siasia told KickOffNigeria.com. "Almost all Nigerians blame him for what happened at the World Cup, but that is not true. There were 11 players on the field and those on the bench and it is a collective responsibility.
"The best players in the world can miss chances.
"We didn’t play well as a team at the tournament, but Nigerians don't want to see those guys (Yakubu and Sani Kaita) because they feel they destroyed everything for us."
Siasia is building his team from the ground up, and says the door remains open to Yakubu and Kaita, as long as they are performing well and playing regular club football.
"We are building a new team right now and we cannot afford to bring them in and put them under pressure from the fans. We don’t want that.
"When the team is stable, we have won games, and they are doing well and scoring goals for their clubs, we can invite them,” he said.
However, Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has asked Nigerians to stop blaming the Leicester City man for Nigeria's 2010 World Cup meltdown, but says he will keep the forward out of the team for the time being, in the player's own interest.
Ayegbeni has hit four goals in six appearances for the Foxes, and is gradually looking back to his best goal scoring form, but Siasia says he will leave him out until the team stabilizes.
"We cannot take a chance on Yakubu now. This country will catch fire," Siasia told KickOffNigeria.com. "Almost all Nigerians blame him for what happened at the World Cup, but that is not true. There were 11 players on the field and those on the bench and it is a collective responsibility.
"The best players in the world can miss chances.
"We didn’t play well as a team at the tournament, but Nigerians don't want to see those guys (Yakubu and Sani Kaita) because they feel they destroyed everything for us."
Siasia is building his team from the ground up, and says the door remains open to Yakubu and Kaita, as long as they are performing well and playing regular club football.
"We are building a new team right now and we cannot afford to bring them in and put them under pressure from the fans. We don’t want that.
"When the team is stable, we have won games, and they are doing well and scoring goals for their clubs, we can invite them,” he said.
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