'I am a product' – Ikpeba urges Eric Chelle to consider NPFL stars for World Cup qualifiers

Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba has called on head coach Eric Chelle to give Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players a chance in the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

Ikpeba made the plea during the final of the President Federation Cup held in Lagos on Saturday, June 28.

The former AS Monaco star emphasized the importance of domestic football in talent development and urged national team handlers not to overlook the wealth of talent in the NPFL.

"I am a product of Nigeria domestic football. How we develop our talents is very important. The coaching, awareness, and some of the boys will be ready to learn," Ikpeba told allnigeriasoccer.com.

"The talents are there. I just want to say to our coaches and administrators we have to continue to encourage our boys, give them the tools to get to the next level."

Ikpeba, a key figure in Nigeria’s golden generation of the 1990s, encouraged local players to be confident and embrace learning, citing his own journey as an example.

"I was ready to learn 30 or 40 years ago. Most of the players that became big household names played in our domestic league.

"It is for the players to believe and know that to get to the national team is competitive. You have to show you're better than those who are there."

The former African Footballer of the Year also pointed to the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled for August, as a vital opportunity for home-based players to prove themselves.

"The CHAN competition is around the corner so it is an opportunity for the players to showcase," he said.

"And I am very sure with the national team coach we have now, those who are good enough will be given the opportunity to play for the national team.

"It is for them to show and compete that they are better than the ones we have there."

Nigeria’s road to the 2026 World Cup continues in September with a double-header against South Africa and Lesotho.

The Super Eagles currently sit fourth in Group C with only seven points from six matches—six behind table-toppers South Africa—leaving their qualification hopes in jeopardy.

Adeyemi Adewale

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