Ikpeba Blasts Eagles After Guinea-Bissau Humbling, Questions Chelle’s Choices
Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba has criticised Nigeria’s performance in their 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, questioning both Eric Chelle’s selection and the mentality of the players.
Franculino, Mama Baldé and Alvaro Djalo scored as Guinea-Bissau swept Nigeria aside at the Estadio 24 de Setembro to move top of Group L with six points from two matches.
Chelle made changes to the team that defeated Madagascar, with Taiwo Awoniyi starting ahead of George Ilenikhena, while Bright Osayi-Samuel replaced Ola Aina.
Ikpeba believes the changes weakened the team and argued that Ilenikhena and Moses Usor, who both played key roles in the comeback victory over Madagascar, should have started.
‘I thought he could have started the game,’ Ikpeba said on SuperSport of Ilenikhena. ‘I thought Moses Usor should have started the game.’
The former Monaco striker was particularly unhappy with the manner of the defeat, saying the players failed to show the fighting spirit expected when representing Nigeria.
‘The way we capitulated pains me. If we had played better and lost, I would still take it,’ he said.
Ikpeba also questioned the ability of some of the attacking players to make the difference, naming Akor Adams, Ademola Lookman and Awoniyi among those who failed to step up.
He, however, defended Chelle from wider criticism and argued that Nigeria’s problems predate the Malian coach.
‘It is a player problem right from the time of Gernot Rohr and Peseiro,’ Ikpeba said.
The 1997 African Footballer of the Year also called for a rethink of how success is judged around the Super Eagles, arguing that winning trophies cannot be the only measure.
‘We cannot win trophies every two years,’ he said, while also defending the records of former coaches Rohr and José Peseiro.
Guinea-Bissau’s victory leaves the Djurtus top of Group L with six points, five goals scored and two clean sheets after two rounds of qualifying.
