Former Nigeria international Victor Ikpeba has expressed concerns over coach Eric Chelle's team selection in the Super Eagles' 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match. The match, held at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau, saw Guinea-Bissau dominate for long periods, with Franculino Djú, Mama Baldé, and Álvaro Djaló scoring to secure a convincing victory. This loss was Chelle's first since taking charge of the Super Eagles.
The defeat left Nigeria with three points from two Group L matches, while Guinea-Bissau moved to six points after winning their opening two games. Ikpeba, speaking on SuperSport, criticized Chelle's selection, questioning why Ilenikhena and Moses Usor were not given starting roles. Ilenikhena and Usor had both featured prominently in Nigeria's opening 2-1 victory over Madagascar, with each scoring on their Super Eagles debut.
Ikpeba emphasized that players like Akor, Ademola, and Awoniyi may not be able to step up, suggesting that young players like George Ilenikhena should be given opportunities. He noted that Ilenikhena and Usor had shown potential in their previous match and could have made a difference if they started against Guinea-Bissau. Ilenikhena was introduced in the second half, while Usor came on at half-time alongside Moses Simon.
Despite his late introduction, Ilenikhena came close to scoring, but Guinea-Bissau goalkeeper Djoco Embadjé made a crucial save. Ikpeba also criticized the manner of Nigeria's defeat, stating that the expectations surrounding the national team are exceptionally high due to the country's large population of 250 million. He expressed disappointment in the team's performance and the manner in which they surrendered.
Ikpeba added that Nigeria's players need to show greater commitment when representing the national team. He emphasized the importance of having a fighting spirit when wearing the green and white jerseys. The former Monaco forward's comments highlight the challenges faced by the Super Eagles in their qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles must now regroup for the next stage of the qualifying campaign, having fallen three points behind Guinea-Bissau in Group L. With Tanzania automatically qualified as a co-host, only the highest-placed non-host nation from the group will secure the remaining qualification berth. Nigeria will need to reassess their strategy and team selection to remain competitive.
As the Super Eagles look to bounce back from this defeat, they will need to address Ikpeba's concerns and work on building a stronger team dynamic. The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their chances of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Key points
- Ikpeba criticizes coach Eric Chelle's team selection in Super Eagles' loss to Guinea-Bissau.
- The defeat leaves Nigeria with three points from two Group L matches, while Guinea-Bissau moves to six points.
- Ikpeba emphasizes the need for greater commitment from Nigeria's players when representing the national team.
