Victor Ikpeba has urged Eric Chelle to drop underperforming Super Eagles stars and turn to players willing to fight for Nigeria, Footynaija reports.
Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations suffered a major setback following their humiliating 3-0 defeat away to Guinea-Bissau.
The Super Eagles must now win their remaining four matches, including next month’s double-header against Tanzania, to keep their qualification hopes alive.
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Several Nigerian players reportedly pointed to the poor pitch, hot weather and fatigue from a lengthy journey in a small aircraft as reasons for their disappointing performance in Bissau. Ola Aina did not feature in that game while Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Taiwo Awoniyi all performed below par.
Ikpeba, however, dismissed the explanations offered by the Super Eagles stars, insisting that the players must take responsibility for their failure to deliver.
“Eric Chelle ought to look for other players for his team,” the former African Footballer of the Year 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.”
Ikpeba also compared the current generation with Nigeria’s successful teams of the 1990s, questioning why modern players should struggle with conditions that African footballers have faced for decades.
“The players today have been over pampered even though many of them need Nigeria more than their clubs,” he added.
Lookman and Aina are among the experienced internationals whose performances could attract closer scrutiny as Chelle considers his options. However, Ikpeba did not specifically name either player.
The former Monaco striker believes the players must accept responsibility for the defeat rather than blame external circumstances.
“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,” he said.
Chelle now faces mounting pressure to find a winning formula, with Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 campaign at a critical stage.
