'We should not forget' - Ikpeba lauds Super Eagles unsung hero Chukwueze after 4 assists in WCQs

Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has heaped praise on Samuel Chukwueze following the winger's impressive performances during Nigeria's 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles kept their hopes of reaching the global showpiece alive after finishing among the top four second-placed teams in the African qualifiers, amassing 17 points in Group C, thanks in part to their emphatic 4-0 victory over Gernot Rohr's Benin on Tuesday in Uyo.

While much of the spotlight has fallen on Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, who netted six goals during the qualifiers, including a hat-trick against Benin, Chukwueze quietly played a pivotal role for the team.

The Fulham forward contributed four assists in seven matches, emerging as one of the Super Eagles' unsung heroes.

The 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup winner combined effectively with his former Golden Eaglets teammate Osimhen, setting him up three times, and also provided an assist in the 2-1 defeat to Benin in Abidjan last June.

Chukwueze's consistent displays earned him commendation from 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medalist Ikpeba, who lauded the winger for his creativity.

"There is competition for positions in the national team," Ikpeba said in a SuperSport broadcast monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com.

"He plays for AC Milan, now on loan to Fulham. And these goals coming from one player, we should not forget both players played for the U17s many years ago, so they know themselves very well.

"That's what we want to see, this combination has been fantastic."

Fulham manager Marco Silva faces an anxious wait over the fitness of deadline-day signing Chukwueze ahead of this weekend's London derby against Arsenal, after the winger was substituted at half-time in Nigeria's win over Benin due to a knock.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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