Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has challenged Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to make bold selection decisions ahead of the November international window.
Ikpeba insisted that some established players must be dropped to create room for fresh talent and restore genuine competition within the squad.
The former Nigeria international made the comments while discussing the team’s recent performances, particularly the disappointing result against Guinea-Bissau.
He argued that players who are guaranteed places regardless of form can undermine collective progress.
Ikpeba drew parallels with elite managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola, noting that successful coaches are prepared to take calculated risks with squad selection.
“Managers in football have to take risks. The great managers of the modern game, the Sir Alex, the Pep, they take risks,” he said.
With a double-header scheduled for November, Ikpeba believes the forthcoming window offers Chelle an opportunity to send a clear message about accountability.
“In a few weeks’ time, we’re going to have this double-header in the month of November. Some of the players have to be dropped,” he stated.
He maintained that leaving out underperforming regulars would encourage greater effort from those retained while opening doors for emerging players.
Call for Greater Competition
Ikpeba warned that when players become accustomed to automatic selection, standards can slip.
He suggested that many current internationals need the national team more than their clubs and should therefore treat every call-up as an opportunity that must be earned.
The former Monaco striker pointed to the team’s struggles in difficult African away conditions as evidence that greater hunger and competition are required.
He called on Chelle to look beyond so-called big names and give opportunities to players ready to fight for the green and white jersey.
Nigeria’s qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations remains finely balanced following mixed results in the current window.
The November fixtures will therefore carry significant importance for both the team’s standing and the direction of squad building under Chelle.
Ikpeba’s intervention adds to ongoing public debate about selection policy, player mentality and the balance between experience and fresh energy in the Super Eagles.
Stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the coach heeds the call for decisive changes when he names his next squad.
