Abuja, Nigeria — Former Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba has revealed that the Super Eagles’ main objective in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers is securing victories regardless of the players on the pitch.
He made the remarks during Super Sports’ coverage of Nigeria’s recent 1-0 win over Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
Ikpeba noted that William Troost-Ekong, who typically dons the captain’s armband, was benched in favour of Benjamin Fredrick in central defence for the key match.
“Before the game, I expected Ekong to start as captain. Whether that decision was tactical remains unknown. Managers often have to handle such situations carefully,” Ikpeba explained.
He added that playing two matches within a short interval is challenging for the players, noting, “We played today and have another match on Tuesday. From the line-up, there are no surprises in my view. It doesn’t matter who plays.”
Ikpeba emphasized that Ekong will still lead from behind the scenes, supporting the squad.
“I’ve spoken with him, and everyone is aware of their roles. Communication is vital, and based on the last few training sessions, the team’s outlook is very positive,” he concluded.
By Enoch Odesola | September 7, 2025
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