ACTUALITE |
08.01.2002
Ikpeba may return to Belgium
Super Eagles striker Victor Ikpeba could return to his old club FC Liege in Belgium if the club can afford his wages.
Ikpeba, now in the Nigerian camp preparing for the African Nations Cup, has had a wretched period of club football since 2000.
The former 1997 African Player of the Year is currently on loan to Spanish club Real Betis.
He moved there from German club Borussia Dortmund after failing to win a regular place in the side.
French daily newspaper Le Soir said Liege, Ikpeba`s first overseas club as a professional, are keen to have him on their books.
High profile
But this can only be possible if the player lowers his wage demands, said the paper, quoting club officials
After getting international recognition at the under-17 World Cup in 1989, Liege signed on the young Ikpeba.
He spent five years there and, with compatriots defender Godwin Okpara and Sunday Oliseh, helped the modest club achieve some success.
Okpara has returned to Liege after playing for French club Paris Saint Germain.
Ikpeba then moved to French club Monaco, where his goals helped them to League, Cup and League Cup wins.
His high-profile status and huge wages at the French club earned him the nickname "Prince of Monaco".
His form at international level has also suffered since the 2000 Nations Cup, where his goals helped Nigeria reach the final.
Honours
The Nigerians lost the trophy to Cameroon on penalties and his kick was declared as `no goal`.
But television replays afterwards showed that his penalty crossed the goal-line.
Ikpeba`s last game in a Super Eagles shirt was in January 2001.
But he has won lots of laurels with Nigeria, since making his debut at the 1992 Nations Cup.
After a bronze medal in the `92 edition, Ikpeba helped Nigeria win the trophy in 1994.
The player was in the under-23 team that won Olympic football gold in 1996.
He was also in the Nigerian squads at the 1994 and `98 World Cup finals.
|
|
Hits: 1 | Source:BBC | |
|
|
|
|
| |