Olympic gold medalist Victor Ikpeba insists that the Nigerian national team requires two elite goalkeepers to maintain its continental dominance. While praising the consistency of current first-choice shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali, the former African Footballer of the Year emphasized that healthy internal competition drives individual improvement.
Nwabali has started 13 of the last 14 matches for the Super Eagles, but the imminent arrival of England-based Arthur Okonkwo, who recently committed his international future to Nigeria, creates a new dynamic for the coaching staff.
The Chippa United star remains the undisputed incumbent after securing four consecutive clean sheets during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. However, Ikpeba believes that relying on a single dominant figure limits the team’s growth. He noted that although Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, and Amas Obasogie have served as reliable backups, the potential inclusion of Okonkwo provides the high-level challenge necessary to keep Nwabali at his peak.
During his analysis on SuperSport, Ikpeba reflected on the legendary rivalry between Emmanuel Okala and Best Ogedegbe as a blueprint for success. He argued that Nigeria’s rich history in the tournament—boasting three titles and seventeen podium finishes—stems from having world-class talent in every position. The Super Eagles legend maintains that elevating the goalkeeping standards will ensure Nigeria continues to exert its massive influence on African football during future competitions.
Ikpeba stated on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football: “When it comes to Nwabali, the Super Eagles team needs two really good goalkeepers. In the past, I remember we had Emmanuel Okala and Best Ogedegbe. They performed really well, and it’s important to recognize Nigeria’s history at the Africa Cup of Nations — they’ve won it three times, reached the finals five times, and finished third nine times. This is a record that highlights how much influence the Super Eagles have during the Africa Cup of Nations.”
About the Author
