On a scorching Sunday afternoon at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, the Super Eagles faced Equatorial Guinea in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations match. A relatively unknown Nigerian, Alhassan Yusuf, made his debut for the team, wearing the iconic No. 4 jersey previously worn by Nwankwo Kanu. Despite the game ending in a 1-1 draw and fans expressing frustration over the team’s performance, Yusuf’s outstanding display quickly earned him praise and admiration.
Standing at an impressive 6 feet 9 inches, Yusuf showcased his nimble-footed skills in midfield, capturing the hearts of fans with his work ethic, discipline, versatility, hard work, determination, and dedication. Fans back home, disappointed with the result, acknowledged Yusuf as the standout performer on the pitch, despite Jesus Owono, Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper, receiving the official Man of the Match award.
Playing for Royal Antwerp, Yusuf proved to be the missing link in the Eagles’ midfield, covering every inch of the field during his time on the pitch. According to Sofascore and Fotmob, the Kano-born midfielder won seven duels, the most by any player in the game, and no Equatorial Guinea player could beat him in one-on-one situations. He displayed defensive prowess with three tackles and one interception, earning comparisons to Chelsea legend N’Golo Kante.
Despite being initially excluded from the Eagles’ final 25-man squad for the AFCON in Ivory Coast, Yusuf seized the opportunity after an injury to Wilfred Ndidi opened a spot. Called into action, he started against Equatorial Guinea and, with an impressive performance, quickly became a hero back home. The 23-year-old midfielder, who had yet to don the Eagles jersey, earned widespread praise, with fans and football pundits commending his energy and all-around contribution to the team.
