Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has urged the Super Eagles to rise above past disappointments and show character as Nigeria prepare to resume their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in September, Footynaija.com reports.
The three-time African champions are under pressure after collecting only seven points from their opening six matches in Group C, leaving them behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin.
With decisive games against Rwanda in Uyo on September 6 and South Africa in Bloemfontein three days later, the 1996 Olympic gold medallist believes the team must find both fight and accountability if they are to rescue their campaign.
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“There’s pride, determination and honour to play for your country, I believe the boys are now ready and determined to do the job against Rwanda and South Africa,” Victor Ikpeba said, in quotes reported by Pulse Sports.
The 1994 AFCON winner also added a call for accountability, stressing that the players must accept responsibility for their earlier struggles.
“The boys have let down the country, they ought to take responsibility… We can’t dwell on the past… We can do it, but we have to fight for it, we have to earn it.”
Ikpeba, fondly remembered as the “Prince of Monaco” during his Ligue 1 days with AS Monaco, has maintained his voice as one of the most respected elders of Nigerian football. Now aged 52, he continues to serve as a television pundit and a member of the Nigeria Football Federation’s technical committee.
His latest remarks arrive at a time when confidence in the Super Eagles has been tested, following a run of one win, four draws, and one defeat in the qualifiers.
Nigeria sit fourth in Group C, trailing leaders South Africa by six points, with only three games left to play. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, while four best runners-up will move into a play-off.
