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Former Nigerian football star, Victor Ikpeba has stirred controversy with his recent comments about the Super Eagles, suggesting that some of today’s players wouldn’t have made the squad during his era.
Ikpeba, who was a key part of Nigeria’s golden generation in the 1990s, played a pivotal role in the country’s 1994 AFCON victory and their impressive performance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the Round of 16.
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The 51-year-old was also influential in Nigeria’s historic gold medal win at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was crowned the 1997 African Player of the Year.
Ikpeba’s Bold Statement on the Super Eagles
Speaking on Bet9ja Home Turf, Ikpeba claimed that football during his era required greater skill, passion, and quality, questioning whether the current crop of players possesses the same level of competitiveness.
“In my era, not everyone was allowed to play football. If you had to play, you needed talent, passion, and quality. Now, most parents want their kids to play football because there is money. That has changed.”
He added: “The leagues we had in the ‘80s and ‘90s were very competitive, and the club players were very good. To be selected for the Green Eagles or Super Eagles, you had to be outstanding. Quality-wise and talent-wise, I think we had more in my era than this one.”
Ikpeba went on to challenge the ability of some of the current Super Eagles players:
“I don’t think some of these guys can play in my era, and that’s the truth. The skills, quality, and fight were different. Can these guys even play in Lagos?”
His remarks have sparked debates among football fans and analysts, with many questioning whether Nigeria’s current squad has what it takes to excel in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Key Players in the Current Super Eagles’ Squad:
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Adeleye Adebayo
Defenders: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi
Forwards: Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon
The squad selection is a crucial step in Nigeria’s World Cup qualification campaign, as they face stiff competition in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers Group.
World Cup Qualifiers Table for Nigeria: Current Standings & Group Details
What Group is Nigeria in for the CAF World Cup Qualifiers?
Also Read: Kayode Bankole Earns Super Eagles Call-Up for World Cup Qualifiers – Remo Stars React
The Super Eagles are placed in Group C of the CAF 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, alongside:
✅ Rwanda
✅ Zimbabwe
✅ South Africa
✅ Lesotho
✅ Benin
World Cup Qualifiers Table Africa 2026: Nigeria’s Standing
With four matches played and no single victory, Nigeria currently sit in fourth place, making their upcoming fixtures must-win games to strengthen their position in the qualifiers.
AFCON & World Cup Qualifiers: What’s Next for the Super Eagles?
Apart from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Nigeria is also preparing for the AFCON 2025 Qualifiers, where they aim to secure a spot in the next edition of Africa’s biggest football tournament.
Upcoming Fixtures for Nigeria:
📅 Nigeria vs Rwanda – [21/3/2025 @ Venue Stade Amahoro (Kigali)]
📅 Nigeria vs Zimbabwe – [24/3/2025. Venue shall be announced later]
The Super Eagles will need to bring their best performance to maintain their World Cup dreams, especially as the debate surrounding their squad’s quality continues.
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