Ahead of the Super Eagle’s 2023 AFCON campaign, we spoke to AFCON 1994 winner and Bet9ja Ambassador Victor Ikpeba, who reminisced about his time playing for Nigeria in Africa’s premier competition and told us his dream Nigeria 5-a-side team from all generations of the side’s history.
Goalkeeper: Emmanuel Okala
VI: I’m going to have to go down memory lane for this one! Emmanuel Okala was the first big star when it came to African goalkeeping so I think I’ll pick him ahead of the likes of Vincent Enyeama. He was a big part of Nigeria’s first AFCON triumph in 1980.
Defender: Stephen Keshi
VI: I could have gone for Christian Chukwu, who led the team to victory alongside Okala, but I think Stephen Keshi needs to be recognised not just for his achievements as a player but for how important he was for Nigerian football as a whole. He’s won AFCON as both a player and a coach and was a big influence for Nigerians leaving the country to go and develop abroad, along with being an amazing trainer.
Midfielder: Muda Lawal
VI: The late Muda Lawal – what a player, what a special talent he was. I’m trying not to think too emotionally but I remember watching him play and win AFCON 1980 growing up and have to pick him in my midfield
Midfielder: Nwankwo Kanu
VI: Everyone picks Jay Jay Okocha for this sort of team but I’ll go with Kanu – his all-round play as both a striker or as an attacking midfielder was amazing. He had creativity, dribbling ability, finishing, and that extra bit of flair that you need in 5-a-side to glue the team together. There’s a reason why he achieved so much across Europe at Ajax, Inter, and Arsenal! He won nearly everything you can win as a player.
Striker: Rashidi Yekini
VI: If you ask me this question in a couple of years the answer might be Victor Osimhen but for now it has to be Rashidi Yekini. He was something else – he was ruthless in front of goal and his goalscoring record still stands to this day. He scored our first-ever goal at the FIFA World Cup and was a massive reason why we won AFCON in 1994.
Who would you have in your dream Nigeria 5-a-side team? Let us know here!
