Former Nigeria and Everton striker Aiyegbeni names South African icon as his best teammate

Former Nigeria international Yakubu Aiyegbeni has described South African icon Steven Pienaar as the best teammate he ever played with, reflecting on a bond built during their memorable spell together at Everton, Soccernet.ng reports.

The pair arrived at Goodison Park in the summer of 2007 and quickly formed one of the most fluid and instinctive attacking partnerships of the David Moyes era.

Pienaar initially joined the Toffees on loan from Borussia Dortmund before making the move permanent, while Aiyegbeni arrived as one of the most lethal forwards in the Premier League after prolific spells at Portsmouth and Middlesbrough.

Both men settled instantly, linking with an ease that made Everton’s football sharper, quicker and more unpredictable. Their connection extended beyond the pitch.

When speaking to SportsCasting, Aiyegbeni revealed that his bond with Pienaar was unlike anything he experienced with any other teammate in his long and successful career.

When asked who the best teammate he ever played with was, the former striker did not hesitate.

“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.”

Together, they helped Everton reach the FA Cup final in 2009, where the Toffees finished as runners-up. Although their time together ended in 2011, with Aiyegbeni leaving first on loan to Leicester City before joining Blackburn Rovers, and Pienaar moving to Tottenham, their friendship endured. Pienaar would later return to Everton and remain there until 2016.

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Aiyegbeni reveals toughest stadium and favourite career goal

The interview also explored Yakubu’s wider reflections from a career that spanned more than 250 Premier League appearances. Asked about the toughest stadium he ever played in, the Nigerian forward named Elland Road.

“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.”

He also highlighted his favourite goal, a strike against his former club Portsmouth while playing for Everton.

“I think one against Portsmouth, my old team. Everton against Portsmouth. Big Sol Campbell was there. Just big Sol there.

“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.”

Aiyegbeni, nicknamed “The Yak”, remains one of Africa’s most accomplished exports to the Premier League. With 96 goals, he stands as the league’s fourth-highest African scorer.

He is also the fourth-highest scorer in Nigeria’s history, represented the Super Eagles at four AFCON tournaments and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and enjoyed a standout early European spell with Maccabi Haifa that earned him his move to England in 2003.