One-time African Player of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has backed the Super Eagles to take a second chance via the Playoffs to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“We can qualify for the World Cup, it is another chance for them to play at the World Cup,” Ikpeba said on Monday Night Football on Supersport TV
“They have a second lifeline, they have to grab it.
“They have fought and they have to continue to do that.
“With the same spirit against Lesotho and Benin, we have what it takes to beat Gabon and Cameroon in the Playoffs.
“Against Benin, they were ruthless and the early goal settled the boys’ nerves.”
He added: “It was not your vintage Super Eagles because the pressure told on them.
“The boys know, it won’t be easy but they have to fight for it.
“We’re optimistic of qualification now.”
Ikpeba, a long-standing member of the NFF technical committee, also lauded the work coach Eric Chelle put in to turn around the fortunes of Nigeria after a poor start to the qualifying campaign
“Our first four games were a disaster and Eric (Chelle) has to take part of the credit, he deserves this,” he said.
“This was after all the doubts by the stakeholders when he was appointed.”
