Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba believes that head coach Eric Chelle is doing a “good job” with the Nigeria national team, but has expressed concerns about some foreign-born Nigerian players’ ability to adapt to the African football mentality.
The former Monaco star stated this ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
Recall that Chelle handed call-ups to several foreign-born players for the September international break.
The foreign-born Nigerian players are Felix Agu, Calvin Bassey, Cyriel Dessers, Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong.
“This new manager [Eric Chelle] has decided to bring something different to the Super Eagles — more of an African mentality,” Ikpeba told PrimeSports with Mahlatse.
“Some of these players born abroad don’t really understand what it takes to play in Africa, but he’s doing a good job.”