With Nigeria again in danger of missing out on another major tournament, one-time African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has called on the Super Eagles coach to axe the top stars who are not ready to fight for the country.
The Super Eagles suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss in Guinea Bissau and are now hard pressed to win next month’s double-header against Tanzania to get their qualifying campaign for the 2027 AFCON back on track.
Several of the players complained that they struggled against the bad pitch and hot weather in Bissau as well as fatigue caused by flying long hours in a small plane.
Ikpeba said these are mere excuses and it is now left for the coach to work with players who will fight for the team.
“Eric Chelle ought to look for other players for his team,” he told SCORENigeria
“He should call off the bluff of the so-called big stars and begin to work with his plan B players, who are ready to fight for him.
“When the Super Eagles were successful in the 90s, who ever made such excuses about the pitch or weather?
“The players today have been over pampered even though many of them need Nigeria more than their clubs.
“They were simply over confident in Guinea Bissau and they got what they deserved.”
He continued: “The players are the main actors and if we didn’t get a result, they should take the blame.
“They appear to be a good tournament team, but when they have to play home and away in Africa, where some of the local conditions are tough like was the case in Guinea Bissau, they struggle.”
