Sky Sports Premier League highlights the remarkable trajectory of Yakubu, chronicling his evolution from a barefoot street player in Nigeria to one of the Premier League’s most prolific African goal scorers. Born on November 22, 1982, in Benin City, Nigeria, Yakubu grew up with six brothers and one sister, making him the sole sibling to pursue football. His early football life was characterized by playing in the streets without any football shoes or boots, a necessity that defined his skill. When he was finally given shoes at his academy, he quickly took them off, finding them heavy and struggling to control the ball on the hard ground, a situation that earned him the humorous title, "the best player without no shoes". Yakubu's motivation was deeply personal: he was driven by the desire to "please" his family and take them "out of the situation they were living at that time".
His father initially resisted his son’s dream, urging him to attend university or learn "some hand work," but eventually embraced the idea after Yakubu began playing and was invited to the Nigeria national team. After playing in the amateur league for Okumo FC, Yakubu moved to Lagos before traveling to Israel. His career took a pivotal turn with Maccabi Haifa, a move that occurred because he failed to secure a work permit to sign for Derby. While in London, Maccabi Haifa called him, insisting he fly down immediately to register for the Champions League. Although initially unhappy to return to Israel, the move proved transformative. During the Champions League playoff in Bulgaria, he scored two goals, securing the team's spot in the group stage, where they faced giants like Manchester United. This run was instrumental in making the world, particularly the Premier League, "wake up to the talent" he possessed, as "everywhere in the world they all watch Champions League".
.
Related article - Uphorial Radio
Yakubu arrived in English football in January 2003, joining Portsmouth on a six-month loan. He noted the intense training environment, a transition from the possession-based focus in Israel to the Championship's emphasis on winning the "first or second ball". He helped Portsmouth win promotion within months. His first Premier League goal was particularly special, scored at the Etihad Stadium against West Ham, marking the first-ever Premier League goal scored at that stadium. This goal provided him with the confidence that he could succeed in the Premier League, a league he described as "really tough" with "the best" and most clever defenders. One famous moment detailed by Sky Sports Premier League involved a bet with manager Harry Redknapp: Yakubu stood to win £20,000 from Redknapp's "own pocket" if he scored 20 goals. After scoring four goals in the final game of the season against Middlesbrough, which Portsmouth won 5-1, his final tally was 19, leaving him one short. He was visibly upset in the dressing room, focused on the lost £20,000 he had already planned to spend on a holiday in America. He attributes Redknapp's successful management—focused on making "everyone happy"—as the reason "every player wants to play for him".
Throughout his career at clubs like Portsmouth, Middlesbrough (where he formed an incredible partnership alongside players like Hasselbaink and Viduka), Everton, and Blackburn Rovers, Yakubu became a fan favorite. He linked this connection to his goal-scoring and his positive interactions with supporters, noting he "hate[d] seeing fans booing players". The iconic chant "Feed the Yak" originated at Everton, while the nickname 'Yak' was started by Harry Redknapp. Sky Sports Premier League celebrates his enduring legacy: he is the fifth leading African goal scorer in Premier League history, following Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Didier Drogba, and Emmanuel Adebayor, and he holds the record as the highest-scoring Nigerian striker in the league. Yakubu retired at 35 with 95 Premier League goals. Though he wished an 11-month injury had not prevented him from reaching the 100-goal milestone, he expressed immense pride, noting he is "very pleased" and honored by his achievement as a "boy from Bini scoring 95 goals in the Premier League".
