Former AS Monaco and Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba has expressed doubts about the quality of Nigeria’s current national team players, suggesting they would have struggled to compete during his era.
Speaking on the Bet9ja Home Turf, the 1997 CAF Player of the Year stated that football in his time required more talent, passion, and quality compared to the modern game.
Ikpeba, a key figure in Nigeria’s golden generation and part of the 1994 AFCON-winning squad, believes that the standards in Nigerian football have declined. He noted that in his playing days, only those with exceptional ability could make it in professional football.
“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,” Ikpeba stated.
Ikpeba during his heir days with the Super Eagles.
Victor Ikpeba says most of this generation can’t play during their era. pic.twitter.com/jaBaJWCBvA
— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) March 3, 2025
Nigerian Football Was More Competitive in the 80s and 90s
Reflecting on the domestic leagues of the 1980s and 1990s, the former Monaco striker highlighted how difficult it was to earn a place in the national team.
He believes the leagues were more competitive, with club players needing to be truly outstanding to receive a call-up to the Green Eagles or Super Eagles.
“The leagues we had in the ‘80s and ‘90s were very competitive, and the club players were very good. To be selected for the national team, you had to be outstanding. Quality-wise and talent-wise, I think we had more in my era than this one.”Can Today’s Players Handle the Pressure?
Ikpeba also questioned whether the current generation of Super Eagles players possesses the same skill, fighting spirit, and determination that defined his era.
“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?”
He challenged their ability to cope with the intense football atmosphere that existed in Nigeria during his playing days.
Source: TheAthleticNG