Former Africa Player of the year, Victor Ikpeba has predicted tougher times for Africa teams on the world stage after the just concluded FIFA Confederations Cup.
Ikpeba fondly called The Prince of Monaco by admirers in his playing days tweeted his concerns about the progression of the round leather game, but concedes that Africa may never achieve true success in global football unless steps were taken to develop the sport on the continent.
He tweeted: “Except African countries develop their football, they will continue to play catch up to European and South American countries.”
The former Nigeria international raised concerns about the state of African football after the success of one of the youngest teams to ever win a senior FIFA competition.
Germany pipped Chile 1-0 in the final of the 2017 Confederations Cup at the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on Sunday.
The exploits of Joachim Löw’s team have won praise from across the footballing world.
The world champions clinched their first ever Confederations Cup with only three members of Die Mannschaft’s squad that won the 2014 World Cup earning Löw plaudits for his philosophy.
Ikpeba’s tweet also drew criticisms against Football administrators in Africa. One twitter user, @ggbanky however, wanted to know what “things to do in order to develop Africa football”.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
