African football legend, Victor Ikpeba has expressed surprise over CHAN Eagles captain Nduka Junior’s move to Iraqi side Erbil FC.
He cited the lack of adequate finance in the Nigerian football league compared to Iraq as the motivation behind the transfer:
“I am following Nduka’s progression, I am a big fan of the former Remo Stars defender, he is a good player. I am shocked that he left for Erbil FC in Iraq,” Ikpeba told Brila.net.
“Truly, I thought he should be with Remo Stars in the CAF Champions League qualifying matches, but it’s what it is. Ninety-nine percent of players in Nigeria move to Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, and different parts of Asia to play.
“Our domestic league isn’t buoyant financially, and these guys are playing for their career and life after football, so if you give me good money in Iraq, then I will go. It’s a very rich oil country.
“I won’t advise my son to go and play in Iraq, that’s the truth. But since he is being well paid, and the chairman of Remo Stars, Hon. Kunle Soname, allowed him to go, there is no use stopping a player from a move that will help him earn more money elsewhere.”
Victor Ikpeba is regarded as one of the greatest strikers to come out of Africa.
During his playing days, he was known as the “Prince of Monaco” because of his flair and ball-playing ability.
Ikpeba helped Monaco win the 1997 Ligue 1 and the Trophée des Champions that same year. He is also one of the few Nigerians to have won the African Player of the Year award.
The Forward was a member of the Nigerian team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and the Olympic Games two years later, defeating Brazil in the semi-final and Argentina in the final.
Ikpeba played for top clubs across the world, including Monaco, Charleroi, Real Betis, and Borussia Dortmund.
The former forward featured in 367 club games in his career, scoring 114 goals and providing 12 assists. He also earned 37 caps for Nigeria, scoring eight goals.
