Victor Ikpeba, a former Africa Player of the Year winner, has expressed concerns about the current state of the Super Eagles following their unexpected 2-1 defeat to Rwanda’s Amavubi in Uyo on November 18.
Ikpeba believes the team’s lackluster performance highlights the need for fresh faces in the national team. The Super Eagles’ unbeaten streak in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers came to an end, and Ikpeba thinks this is the perfect opportunity to introduce new players.
The caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen, made some surprising choices by benching key players like Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi. This move has been met with criticism from fans and analysts alike.
Ikpeba was candid about his disappointment with the result and the team’s display. On SuperSport TV’s Monday Night Football show, he stated, “I’m disheartened by the outcome and the team’s performance.”
He emphasized that the match was a chance for lesser-known players to showcase their skills and earn a spot in the national team. Unfortunately, Ikpeba felt they failed to impress.
“They didn’t deliver for themselves, and they certainly didn’t meet the fans’ expectations,” he said.
Ikpeba believes the team needs a shake-up and is advocating for new talent to be brought in to create competition and revitalize the squad’s dynamics. “We need to call up new players to create competition within the team,” he stressed.
