Ex Nigerian Striker Victor Ikpeba Reveals Nigeria Has Used Over Aged Players In The Past

Victor Ikpeba, the former FC Monaco and Super Eagles’ striker, has made startling revelations that Nigeria had used over-aged players in the past in both domestic and international matches and that the present board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are currently doing all they could to go back to recruiting kid players from school competitions.

He stated “In the past I think we have not been playing with the right age. That is the truth. We cannot lie. In some ways it has helped to produce some great players and in the other ways it has not really helped our football because it is so sad when you look at the roll call of the players that have played in the competition in the past. You can ask the question that how many of them have been successful in life.

“It has not taken us anywhere so we have to go back to the basics. I think we will get it right if we start showcasing these young lads. It is not going to be easy, it is not going to be perfect and it might not end up having a real 16, 17 year old kid players but we will work hard to get to that age bracket.”

 “If for every U- 17 (continental and international) competition you can pin-point two or three players, then it is good for the nation and from there you continue to monitor their progress. The history of great players that came out of age grade teams from across the globe, is long. So far we have not gotten it right at the age grade level”

 “We lost it about two decades ago, and we are trying to get back on track again. Let’s give the chance to the current NFF board to work on how to get it right this time around. I think we are getting there. Rome was  not built in a day” the  former striker stressed.