As the Super Eagles prepare for a mission of redemption, legendary striker Victor Ikpeba has called for stability, advising coach Éric Chelle to field an unchanged team for the crucial World Cup playoff semi-final against Gabon.
Ikpeba, a member of Nigeria’s golden generation, believes the squad that delivered a flawless 4-0 performance against Benin last month has proven its worth and must be trusted under the intense pressure of the playoffs.
The victory was a statement of intent, propelling Nigeria into the playoff round and banishing some of the doubts that have surrounded the team.
“You don’t change a winning team,” Ikpeba declared, invoking a timeless football axiom. “It’s a second chance for us to qualify for the World Cup. We have to get it right this time, especially as we did not qualify for Qatar 2022.”
His words highlight the profound importance of this campaign for a football-loving nation still stung by the failure to reach the last global tournament.
The upcoming match in Rabat is more than just a semi-final; it is a pivotal step in exorcising the ghosts of that qualification disappointment.
By advocating for a consistent lineup, Ikpeba is pushing for the cohesion and confidence from the Benin game to be carried directly into the clash with the Panthers.
In a high-stakes, single-match scenario, such continuity could provide the critical edge Nigeria needs to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
