Victor Ikpeba laments decline in Nigeria football quality

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nigerian football legend Victor Ikpeba has sparked a heated debate by claiming that some current Super Eagles players would not have made the team during his playing days.

Ikpeba, a key member of the iconic 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning team and the World Cup round-of-16 squad, believes the quality and talent of players in his era far surpass those of today’s players.

“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 said during an appearance on Bet9ja Home Turf.

The 1997 African Player of the Year pointed to the competitiveness of the leagues during his time as a major factor in the higher level of quality among players.

“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,” he explained.

While some may agree with his assertion that the current generation of players lacks the quality and passion of their predecessors, others may argue that the game has evolved, with modern players possessing different skills and strengths.