Mohamed Salah sent AFCON warning as Yakubu delivers Victor Osimhen verdict

13 January 2024 , 20:30

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Mohamed Salah is among the best African players in the world according to Yakubu (Image: Abeer Ahmed/Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah ranks among the best African players of all-time.

But victory with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations would cement his legacy as one of the game's greats. Former Nigeria striker Yakubu views The Pharaohs as one of the tournament's favourites due to Salah's brilliance as they face Mozambique in their Group B opener.

Yakubu said: "Salah has won African Footballer of the Year twice. He is just so good. He's still one of the top legends in Africa, not only now but of all-time.

"He's just so consistent for Liverpool and is scoring so many goals. Egypt are strong and they also have many other great players."

Yakubu finished third at AFCON with Nigeria in 2002, 2004 and 2010 and now he is backing his country to lift the trophy for the first time since 2013.

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Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface has been one of the biggest revelations in European football this season, netting 16 goals and assisting eight times in all competitions.

But he has been ruled out of action for two months after recently undergoing groin surgery while Real Sociedad forward Umar Sadiq has also withdrawn with a knee issue.

Still, Yakubu thinks the Super Eagles have the firepower to go the distance.

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He added: "Nigeria have the quality to win it. But there is also Senegal, Cameroon and even Guinea, who have some real talent. Boniface is going to be a huge miss for our country.

"He's a guy that can score goals and hold the ball upfront so well. He can also drop deep and create chances. Forwards aren't an issue for us but we're going to be reliant on our strikers like Victor Osimhen and Terem Moffi."

Yakubu is itching to see Napoli star Osimhen, who has caught the eye of Chelsea, test himself in the Premier League.

When asked if he would be a good fit for English football, The Yak responded: "Why not? He's a very strong player with the ball and he can run channels as well.

"The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and everybody wants to play there.

"If you want to show yourself as a top player then the Premier League is the place to be. It's very hard but I wasn't lucky, I worked so hard to play in the Premier League and it was incredible."

Yakubu wants to see Victor Osimhen in the Premier League (Naija Bias Football Channel)

While some players have chosen to skip the tournament to focus on their club careers, Yakubu claims there is no greater honour than representing your nation.

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He strongly refutes suggestions he picked Middlesbrough over Nigeria in 2006, declaring he only sat out AFCON because of a dispute with manager Augustine Eguavoen.

Yakubu continued: "It means so much to every player and in Africa. But not only in Africa. It's like the European Championships, everyone wants to play and you really look forward to the games.

"I had issues with the coach back then. It's not like I pulled out because I didn't want to play. I decided to step away and it was resolved after the tournament."

Ryan Taylor