AFCON qualifiers: ‘You can’t step up’ – Ikpeba slams 3 Super Eagles’ stars after Guinea-Bissau defeat
Former Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba criticized Super Eagles forwards Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, and Taiwo Awoniyi following the team’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday evening.
Awoniyi received a rare starting position due to fitness concerns surrounding George Ilenikhena. However, he was unable to make a significant impact and was substituted at the start of the second half. Adams and Lookman also struggled to perform effectively, leading to their replacements by Ilenikhena and Tolu Arokodare as Nigeria faced a heavy defeat in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
Ikpeba expressed his disappointment in an interview with SuperSport, suggesting that Ilenikhena and Moses Usor should have been in the starting lineup. He voiced concerns regarding the performance levels of established players in the squad.
“The likes of Akor, Ademola, Awoniyi cannot step up. The young George didn’t start the game. I thought he could have started the game,” Ikpeba stated. “I thought Moses Usor should have started the game. That fighting spirit that we are wearing the green and whites should be there in their minds.”
Ikpeba also addressed the significant expectations placed on the Super Eagles, stating that the team’s collapse during the match was more troubling than the final score. “With a population of 250 million, the expectations are exceptionally elevated. The manner in which we surrendered pained me deeply,” he said.
He defended former Super Eagles coaches Jose Peseiro and Gernot Rohr, asserting that the criticism directed at the two managers was not entirely fair.
The defeat leaves Nigeria in second place in Group L with three points, while Guinea-Bissau sits atop the group with six points.
