For Victor Nosa Ikpeba, football was never just a game, it was a way of life. A former Super Eagles striker and 1997 African Footballer of the Year, Ikpeba played in an era when talent and passion defined a player’s career. Now, years after hanging up his boots, the man fondly known as The Prince of Monaco is deeply concerned about the direction Nigerian football is heading.
In a candid reflection on the state of the game, Bet9ja Ambassador Ikpeba delivers a stark verdict: today’s generation of Nigerian footballers lacks the commitment, drive, and raw hunger that once made the country a powerhouse in African football.
In a recent Bet9ja Home Turf episode, Ikpeba lamented that football in Nigeria has changed significantly over the past two decades, attributing this transformation to a shift in priorities.
"That is the ?????" ?@V_Ikpeba on the difference between his generation and modern players! ??
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“During my era, you had to know how to play football,” he recalled. “Not everybody was allowed to play. Even if you wanted to, you had to have talent, passion, and the quality to do so. But in the last 20 years, most parents are allowing their kids to play football because of the money.”
Ikpeba’s words reflect a growing sentiment among football purists that the game has become more commercialised, with financial incentives often outweighing the love for the sport. Unlike in the past, when players honed their skills on dusty fields and played simply for the joy of it, many youngsters today see football primarily as an escape route to wealth.
One of the most concerning aspects of this shift, according to Ikpeba, is the impact it has had on the quality of players emerging from Nigeria. He pointed to the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) as a prime example, arguing that the domestic league no longer produces the same level of talent as it once did.
“Times have changed,” he admitted. “In those days, people played not just for money, but because of passion and talent. The league we had in the 80s and 90s was very competitive, and the players were exceptionally good. If you were selected for the Green Eagles or Super Eagles back then, it meant you were truly outstanding.”
Ikpeba believes that if many of today’s footballers had played in his era, they might not have made the cut. “That’s the truth,” he stated bluntly.
For Ikpeba, one of the clearest indicators of a footballer’s potential was their ability to excel in the grassroots football culture of Lagos. He reminisced about the legendary open playgrounds across the city, where young boys would battle fiercely to prove their worth. These were the proving grounds for many Nigerian greats, and Ikpeba questioned whether today’s players could survive in that environment.
“It’s about skills, commitment, and physicality. Everything is different now,” he said. “I love this generation, but how many of them can fight for football or play where it really matters in Lagos? Can they play in Lagos?”
The rhetorical question was a nod to the legendary football hubs like Campos Square in Lagos Island, the National Stadium in Surulere, and Agege Stadium, places where the next big stars once emerged.
"Its desperate times" ?@V_Ikpeba tells the #HomeTurfBet9ja crew about the Super Eagles World Cup hopes ?
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Ikpeba’s concerns highlight an urgent issue within Nigerian football: how to rediscover the passion and discipline that once defined the nation’s game. While opportunities for young footballers have expanded, thanks to global scouting, academies, and lucrative contracts abroad, there is a growing fear that many players are losing sight of what truly makes a great footballer.
The solution, perhaps, lies in striking a balance, embracing modern opportunities while ensuring that the core values of dedication, hard work, and an unshakable love for the game remain intact.
As Ikpeba’s reflections suggest, Nigerian football still has immense potential, but it will take more than talent alone to restore the nation’s glory. It will require a new generation of players who not only dream of success but are also willing to fight for it both on and off the pitch.
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Watch the latest Home Turf episode here.
