Victor Ikpeba drops bombshell, claims some current Super Eagles players wouldn’t start in his era

Victor Ikpeba believes some current Super Eagles players would not make the team during his era

Former Nigerian forward Victor Ikpeba has stated emphatically that some of the current crop of Super Eagles players would not have made the squad during his era.

The 1994 CAF Footballer of the Year suggested that not every footballer during his era was allowed to play without talent, passion, and quality.

Ikpeba believes the modern game has changed as parents want their kids to play because of the financial rewards.

“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 on Bet9ja Home Turf.

Looking back at the old days, the former Monaco striker added that the local leagues in the 1980s and 1990s were very competitive, and a player needed to possess exceptional qualities to be selected for the national team.

“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,” he added.

Ikpeba further questioned the ability of the current team in terms of their fighting spirit and determination on the pitch.

“I don’t think some of these guys could play in my era, and that’s the truth. The skills, quality, and fight were different. Can these guys even play in Lagos?” he continued.