Former Nigeria U20 goalkeeper Matthew Yakubu has declared his ambition to return to the national team setup under Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, Soccernet.ng reports.
Yakubu’s clarion call comes as questions begin to mount over the form of current number one, Stanley Nwabali.
Since Chelle’s appointment as Nigeria coach in January, the Malian tactician has maintained faith in Nwabali, whose rise began after an outstanding display at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Nigeria reach the final. But recent poor performances in World Cup qualifiers have raised doubts about his consistency and opened the door for competition.
Udinese’s Maduka Okoye, recently reinstated after serving a two-month football ban, is also back in contention.
Yet, Yakubu, who plies his trade with Dukla Banská Bystrica in Slovakia, believes his form and experience in Europe merit serious consideration.
“I’ve already received an invitation in the past, unfortunately, then came the unfortunate injury,” Yakubu recently told the Slovak daily Pravda.
“People in Nigeria love football, they watch it, they know how I’m doing. If Dukla and I managed to advance, maybe I’ll get that chance again.”
Yakubu, 26, has been a standout performer for Dukla, who are unbeaten in 15 league matches this season. The club currently tops Slovakia’s second division with 39 points, seven clear of nearest challengers Zlaté Moravce, having scored a league-high 34 goals and conceded only ten.
“That’s our goal. To move back up. I think we’re on the right track. If we continue as we have been, I’m convinced we’ll succeed,” he believes.
Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
Mathew Yakubu: From Zaria, Nigeria, to Slovakia
Yakubu’s journey took him from Zaria in northern Nigeria to Slovakia. Raised by a single mother after losing his father at six, his early life was defined by hardship and hope.
“Mom raised all six of us alone,” he said. “It wasn’t easy at all because she had to work a lot and even regularly take on extra jobs. She was very strong, she did it for us. She got a salary, but it often wasn’t enough for us, she worked various jobs to earn more.
“But she was always there for us. She supported us. In every circumstance. We discussed everything together. She told me that if I wanted to play football, I should go for it. She never talked me out of it.”
Initially a striker, Yakubu’s journey between ...s began by chance.
“Our keeper didn’t show up for training, so the coach told me to go in goal. I conceded a few, but I loved it,” he laughs. His potential was soon evident, leading to stints with Clique Sports Academy in Lagos and Nigeria’s U20 national setup.
After narrowly missing the 2019 U20 World Cup squad, Yakubu impressed at the African Games in Morocco, where scouts from ŠKF Sereď, a Slovak top-flight club, offered him a contract.
“They sent me a contract straight to Morocco,” he recalls. “I didn’t hesitate.”
On arrival, Slovakia’s freezing February climate nearly sent him back.
“The cold got to me,” he admits. “I felt like turning around at the airport. I arrived in February, I had never experienced anything like that before. Yes, sometimes it happened with us that we had two degrees, but back then no one even thought of training in such weather.
“I will always say that this city (Sereď) is my second home. I can return there anytime and people will treat me nicely. I won’t let them down, I only have nice words for Sereď.”
Yakubu’s connection to Slovakia deepened when he met his future wife, a local woman, with whom he now has twin daughters and a newborn son.
“She’s been with me through everything,” he says proudly.
But the road was not without pain. A serious knee injury forced him out for 18 months and required three surgeries.
“It was terrible. I lost myself for a while. But my family – Slovak and Nigerian – helped me through.”
Now fully recovered and in the form of his life, Yakubu’s focus is firmly on promotion with Dukla and a first Super Eagles call-up.