Ikpeba questions commitment of Lookman, Aina, Bassey, other dual nationals before RSA clash

Two-time World Cupper and former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has questioned the commitment of the dual-national players in the Super Eagles squad ahead of Nigeria's crucial 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against South Africa (RSA) at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

For the September internationals, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle handed call-ups to several foreign-born stars, including 2017 England U20 World Cup winner Ademola Lookman, Fulham defender Calvin Bassey, Nottingham Forest fullback Ola Aina, Tottenham Hotspur academy product William Troost-Ekong, Werder Bremen's Felix Agu, and ex-Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers.

Dessers, who had made eight previous appearances for Nigeria in friendly matches, finally became cap-tied to the Super Eagles when he replaced the injured Victor Osimhen in the 35th minute of Saturday's 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo.

Ikpeba expressed concern over the instability caused by frequent managerial changes and questioned whether some dual-national players fully grasp the demands of African football.

"We have a new manager. The biggest problem is that we have changed too many managers. We had one for the first two games, and then another for the next two,” Victor Ikpeba told PrimeSports with Mahlatse.

"It doesn’t really help the stability of the team. The continuity just isn’t there.

"This new manager has decided to bring something different to the Super Eagles — more of an African mentality.

"Some of these players born abroad don’t really understand what it takes to play in Africa, but he's doing a good job."

Despite the presence of several players born abroad in the Super Eagles squad, only one of Nigeria's eight goals in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers has come from that group.

Hull City defender Semi Ajayi spared the three-time African champions from an opening-day defeat, netting a second-half equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Lesotho.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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