Victor Ikpeba, a former AS Monaco star and 1994 AFCON winner, has sparked a heated debate in Nigerian football circles with his bold claims about the current generation of Super Eagles players. Speaking on Bet9ja Home Turf, the ex-CAF Player of the Year argued that today’s squad would have struggled to compete during his playing days.

“In my era, not everyone could play football. You needed talent, passion, and quality. Now, most parents push their kids into football because of the money. That has changed,” Ikpeba remarked.

Reflecting on the highly competitive leagues of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the former Monaco forward highlighted how difficult it was to earn a place in the national team. He believes the football culture back then demanded a higher level of skill, discipline, and determination compared to today.

“The league back then was very strong, and to get into the national team, you had to be exceptional,” he explained. “Can these guys even play in Lagos? I don’t think so.”

His comments have divided opinions among Nigerian football fans. While some agree that the golden generation of the ‘90s had unparalleled talent, others point out that the current Super Eagles squad has produced back-to-back African Player of the Year winners and Ballon d’Or nominees—achievements that suggest a different kind of quality in modern football.

With football evolving over the years, the debate remains open: Was the past truly better, or is today’s Super Eagles just a different breed of talent?