Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has revealed that South African great Steven Pienaar was the best teammate he ever played alongside, SportPremi reports.
Yakubu and Pienaar spent four and a half years together at Everton in the English Premier League, forming a lethal attacking partnership.
The former joined the Toffees in a then-club record £11.25 million deal in the summer of 2007, while Pienaar joined on an initial loan deal in 2007, which became permanent the following summer.
‘The Yak’ went on to score 21 goals in all competitions in his debut season at the club, one shy off his jersey number ‘22’.
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Both players played key roles in the club’s FA Cup final run in the 2008-09 season, but ultimately lost 2-1 to Chelsea.
Yakubu left Everton in January 2011 for Leicester City on a loan deal, while Pienaar also joined Tottenham Hotspur that month in a permanent deal.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni names Pienaar as favorite teammate
Speaking in a recent interview, ex-Nigerian international Yakubu Aiyegbeni reflected on his time at Everton in the English Premier League.
The former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough forward opened up on his favorite teammate, toughest stadium and favorite goal of his career.
On his favorite teammate
“Steven Pienaar, South Africa. When I came to Everton, we just bonded straight away. Watching highlights in South Africa and Holland. We just blended, and he speaks Nigerian Pidgin as well. He is a very, very good friend of mine. He’s a good guy. Steven Pienaar is my buddy”, Yakubu revealed.
His toughest stadium
“Hardest stadium. Leeds. Elland Road. The fans there, it is a little bit…what’s the word? I remember going there with Portsmouth when we were struggling against relegation. It is a really hard place to play against. They’re all crazy. Crazy atmosphere.”
On his favorite goal
“I think one against Portsmouth, my old team. Everton against Portsmouth. Big Sol Campbell was there. Just big Sol there”, he continued.
“That was special. That was really special. We started the momentum at Portsmouth, then Jermaine Defoe, Kanu, they all came after I left. We built Portsmouth for them to come. And Peter Crouch as well. We laid the foundations, then they just came in and took it onwards.”
