Ikpeba Reveals Why EPL, La Liga, Serie A Kills Young Africans’ Football Talent

Former Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba has advised young Nigerian and African players to avoid joining Clubs in the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga at the early stages of their football career.

Popularly known as the ‘Prince of Monaco’, the 46-year-old told Brila fm in an interview that was monitored by Soccernet.ng that every young African player must exhibit patient if they really want to progress.

The Atlanta Olympic gold medalist also advised African players to learn from Super Eagles and Leicester  City defensive midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi gradual rise to stardom.

“I really don’t like to see our young lads going to the English premier league, the Serie A, and also the La Liga, I want them to start from the smaller traditional leagues in Europe like the Portuguese, the French and the Dutch leagues.

“These places mentioned, can give the players a platform to express themselves unlike what we see in England.

“But the English team now have changed, they give their own players the platform to but not often on first teams.

“For an African player, if you really want to progress you have to learn the European style of football and these other smaller leagues gives you the platform to develop in football.

“For instance, Wilfred Ndidi is doing well now in the EPL, why? It’s because he started his career in Europe from the Belgian league and now he’s doing well in the EPL with Leicester city now.

“May be, Real Madrid or one other big club side might be on the radar to sign him,” Ikpeba concluded.