14th December, 2010
Former African Player of the Year Victor Ikpeba says Nigerian players should not expect to win the CAF African Player of the Year award for at least the next two years.
Nigerian players have failed to make the final shortlist in recent years, and Ikpeba, a previous winner, says the country lacks the players to win it.
“The country right now lacks players who can win the CAF award. In the last few years the last time we had a Nigerian nomination for the CAF award, I think, was years back when Okocha was nominated.
“It is sad and would have been great if Nigeria got a nomination.”
But with young players coming through, Ikpeba is confident that if they work hard, and move to bigger clubs, the trend can be reversed.
“Let’s say two more years from now; we should be expecting a Nigerian winner.
“But I must say that to achieve this, our players must start playing for bigger clubs and our strikers must keep scoring goals week-in, week-out.”
