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Former AS Monaco forward Victor Ikpeba has expressed surprise at Frank Onyeka’s decision to drop into the English Championship, footynaija.com reports.
Ikpeba described the Super Eagles midfielder’s loan move to Coventry City as a step backwards in his career.
Onyeka joined Championship leaders Coventry from Brentford on deadline day, signing a deal until the end of the season. The agreement includes an obligation to buy should the Sky Blues secure promotion to the Premier League.
The 27-year-old Nigeria international had struggled for regular opportunities at Brentford during the first half of the campaign, making six substitute appearances in the Premier League. He did, however, feature from the start in all three of the club’s Carabao Cup matches.
Despite his limited club minutes, Onyeka remained an important figure for Nigeria, playing a key supporting role as the Super Eagles finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, performances Ikpeba believes should have opened doors at a higher level.
Speaking on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football, Ikpeba questioned the logic behind the move, arguing that Onyeka’s pedigree warranted interest from top-flight clubs across Europe.
“These things happen in football when you don’t have enough playing time,” Ikpeba said. “He is a top player and always gives everything, even in the few games we’ve seen him play for Brentford.
“It’s not nice for him to go down a step lower, the Championship. If he had gone to another Premier League club, that would have been great, or moved to France, Serie A or La Liga. That would have made more sense.
“For a top player, what we saw from him at the Nations Cup shows his quality. He should be at a better club, either staying in the Premier League or moving elsewhere. Going to Coventry just because they are top of the league makes no sense.”
Onyeka, a product of FC Ebedei in Nigeria, previously played top-flight football with FC Midtjylland in Denmark and FC Augsburg in Germany before joining Brentford.
