Victor Ikpeba has urged Nigeria’s coaching staff to make bold selection decisions, warning that established Super Eagles players should not be protected if their performances fall below the required level.
Key takeaways
- Ikpeba believes competition for places must be restored within the Super Eagles squad.
- The former Nigeria forward wants coaches to remove regulars who are failing to perform.
- Nigeria have collected three points from their opening two Group L matches.
- A November qualifying double-header against Tanzania is approaching.
- Nine players won senior Nigeria debuts in the 3-3 friendly draw against Russia on 6 October.
Ikpeba calls for tougher selection policy
The former Nigeria international, who has also served on the Nigeria Football Federation Technical Committee, said the national-team management must be prepared to take risks when choosing the squad.
Speaking on Lagos-based Sports Radio, Ikpeba said leading coaches such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola had shown that successful modern football management requires decisive calls. He argued that action is needed whenever players become too comfortable and no longer feel they must earn their positions.
“When players are not accustomed to competing for a place, it becomes a problem,” Ikpeba said on Brila FM. With November’s two qualifying matches in mind, he said leaving out recognised players would deliver a clear warning to the entire group that standards cannot be compromised.
“Today’s players have been spoiled too much, even though several of them need Nigeria more than their clubs,” he said.
Ikpeba also pointed to the Super Eagles’ difficulties in demanding African away matches, despite the experience and talent available to the side.
“They look capable in tournament football, but they struggle when they must play home-and-away fixtures in Africa, where the conditions can be difficult, like they were in Guinea-Bissau,” he added.
Pressure grows before Tanzania fixtures
Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze, the programme’s colour commentator, supported Ikpeba’s view. He compared the situation with club football, where a player’s status or length of service does not automatically secure a place in the starting team.
Udeze said every international must arrive in camp prepared to give 120 percent. He added that taking experienced players out of the side for a period can give struggling individuals the opportunity to reset before returning in better shape.
Nigeria began their Group L campaign with a 2-1 win over Madagascar before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau. The Super Eagles therefore have three points after two matches.
The Guinea-Bissau loss intensified the pressure on Chelle to establish a successful formula for the remaining qualifiers, including the November double-header with Tanzania.
The Franco-Malian coach has been assessing alternatives in recent international windows, handing opportunities to a number of fresh faces.
Nigeria’s 3-3 friendly draw against Russia on 6 October underlined the options at his disposal, with nine players making their senior international debuts during that match.
