Former Nigeria international and AFCON 1994 winner, Victor Ikpeba, has sounded a passionate warning to the Super Eagles, insisting that failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be a monumental setback for Nigerian football and a huge blow to the country’s sporting pride.
Speaking ahead of the crucial qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic, Ikpeba, popularly known as the Prince of Monaco, said Nigeria’s absence from the last World Cup in Qatar was already a bitter pill for fans to swallow, and missing another would be “unforgivable.”
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“Nigeria is a footballing nation — we don’t belong on the sidelines,” Ikpeba said. “Missing one World Cup was painful enough; missing two in a row would be catastrophic. The players must understand what’s at stake, not just for themselves but for over 200 million people who live and breathe football.”
Ikpeba emphasized that with the quality of players currently available to coach Eric Chelle, including stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, and Alex Iwobi, Nigeria has no excuse not to qualify. He urged the players to approach each game with total focus and discipline, starting with the tie against Lesotho in Polokwane.
“This team has the talent to win both matches,” he continued. “But talent alone isn’t enough — we need passion, leadership, and the right mentality. These players must play as if their careers depend on it.”
The former Monaco and Borussia Dortmund striker also noted that World Cup qualification affects more than just football prestige — it has implications for national unity, sponsorships, and youth inspiration.
“A World Cup ticket gives hope to millions,” Ikpeba concluded. “We can’t afford to let that dream die again. The Super Eagles must rise and fight for Nigeria.”
