Former Super Eagles star Victor Ikpeba has criticised Alex Iwobi following DR Congo’s equaliser in Sunday’s 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff.
Nigeria had taken an early lead in the fourth minute through Frank Onyeka, but the Congolese side drew level around the 30th minute after a counter-attack originating from a poor pass by Iwobi. Wilfred Ndidi’s failure to clear the ball compounded the situation, allowing the Leopards to score.
Ikpeba faulted Iwobi for not tracking back with urgency after losing possession in midfield. “He was too casual on the ball, and instead of sprinting to recover, he was just jogging. In situations like this, you expect players to defend and fight for the ball, but he didn’t. That shows he’s not ready to suffer for the team,” Ikpeba said.
The former forward added that moments like this highlight a player’s attitude and commitment on the field, stressing that Iwobi’s lack of effort directly contributed to the equaliser.
