Victor Ikpeba
Victor Ikpeba is a former Nigerian professional footballer known for his forward position.
Ikpeba played 31 international matches for Nigeria, scoring seven goals, including a key goal in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
He was discovered by RFC Liège during the 1989 FIFA U-17 World Championship and later joined AS Monaco at the age of 20.
Biography
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Victor Ikpeba Nosa, a talented Nigerian footballer, was born into a world where sports would soon become his passion. He was discovered by Belgian club RFC Liège during the 1989 FIFA U-17 World Championship, which marked the beginning of his professional journey. Ikpeba moved to Belgium alongside his teammate Sunday Oliseh, and after an impressive season where he scored 17 goals, he caught the attention of AS Monaco. At just 20 years old, he joined Monaco, where he faced initial challenges but eventually thrived under the guidance of coach Arsène Wenger.
Rise to Prominence
Ikpeba's career took off after the 1996 Olympics, where he helped Nigeria secure a gold medal. His performance at Monaco was stellar, culminating in a league title in 1997 and earning him the prestigious African Footballer of the Year award in 1997. He was part of a talented Monaco squad that famously eliminated Manchester United from the Champions League in 1998. Following his time at Monaco, Ikpeba had stints with Borussia Dortmund, Real Betis, and Al Ittihad, showcasing his versatility as a forward capable of playing in various attacking roles.
International Career and Legacy
Ikpeba represented Nigeria in 31 international matches, scoring seven goals. He was a key player in the Super Eagles' journey to the 1994 FIFA World Cup and scored a crucial goal against Bulgaria in the 1998 World Cup. His contributions helped Nigeria win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and the Olympic gold medal in 1996. After retiring from professional football, Ikpeba has remained connected to the sport, co-hosting Monday Night Football on Supersport and living in Lagos, where he continues to inspire future generations of footballers.
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Career & Clubs
In spite of his small physique, Ikpeba was a fast, versatile, and opportunistic forward, who was capable of playing as a striker, as a second striker, or on either wing, and was known for his ability to score from any position on the pitch.
Ikpeba was discovered by Belgian club RFC Liège during the 1989 FIFA U-17 World Championship, and moved to play in Belgium together with teammate Sunday Oliseh. At the age of 20 and after scoring 17 goals in 1992–93, Ikpeba was bought by Monégasque side AS Monaco, then coached by Arsène Wenger. At Monaco, he gradually became a success, albeit with a tough start. He showed outstanding form subsequent to the 1996 Olympics, scoring 13 league goals to help Monaco win the league title, and also finishing as the second-top goalscorer in the 1996–97 UEFA Cup. His performances earned him the African Footballer of the Year award in 1997. Two successful seasons followed. While at Monaco, Ikpeba nearly signed for Italian club Reggina. But his wife, unwilling to give up life in Monaco, locked him in their house on the day he was to sign his contract. Ikpeba played in Jean Tigana's talented Monaco side which famously put Manchester United out of the Champions League in 1998 on away goals after a 1–1 draw at Old Trafford. Ikpeba again teamed up with Sunday Oliseh at Borussia Dortmund in 1999, for a transfer fee of £4.8 million. Ikpeba scored only two goals in his first season in the Bundesliga and barely played in his second, after falling out with the coach Matthias Sammer. Looking for a move abroad, Ikpeba turned down Southampton to join Real Betis on a season-long loan. Things went further downhill for the player in Spain as he was criticised for being overweight by the coach, after…
- Club
- Al Sadd Sports Club (2005–2007)
- Club
- AS Monaco FC (1993–1999)
- Club
- R.F.C. de Liège (1989–1993)
- Club
- Borussia Dortmund (1999–2001)
- Club
- Royal Charleroi S.C. (2003–2004)
- Club
- Real Betis Balompié (2001–2002)
- Club
- Al-ittihad (2002–2003)
- Club
- ACB Lagos (1989–1989)
- Club
- Nigeria men's national football team (1992–2002)
- Club
- Royal Charleroi S.C. (2004–2004)
- Club
- Al Ittihad FC (2002–2003)
- League
- Bundesliga
- National team
- Nigeria
Personal
Ikpeba now lives in Lagos, and he co-hosts Monday Night Football on Supersport. His wife Atinuke died in May 2000 at the age of 26, after losing her battle with breast cancer.
Legacy
RFC Liège
Belgian Cup: 1989–90 Monaco
Ligue 1: 1996–97 Trophée des Champions: 1997 Al-Ittihad
Libyan Premier League: 2002–03 Nigeria
Africa Cup of Nations: 1994 Olympic Games: 1996 Individual
Ebony Shoe Award: 1993 African Footballer of the Year: 1997
Clubs
- ACB Lagos1989–1989
- R.F.C. de Liège1989–1993
- Nigeria men's national football team1992–2002
- AS Monaco FC1993–1999
- Borussia Dortmund1999–2001
- Real Betis Balompié2001–2002
- Al Ittihad FC2002–2003
- Al-ittihad2002–2003
- Royal Charleroi S.C.2003–2004
- Royal Charleroi S.C.2004–2004
- Al Sadd Sports Club2005–2007
Played together with
- Aadil AssanaAS Monaco FC · 2011–2014
Abbas SaadAl Sadd Sports Club · 2004–2004
Abde EzzalzouliReal Betis Balompié · 2023
Abdelaziz Ben TifourAS Monaco FC · 1956–1958- Abdeljalil HaddaAl Ittihad FC · 1996–1997
Abdelkarim HassanAl Sadd Sports Club · 2010- Abdelkrim El HadriouiRoyal Charleroi S.C. · 2002–2004
- Abdellah LiegeonAS Monaco FC · 1981–1987
Abdelmajid OulmersRoyal Charleroi S.C. · 2003–2010- Abdelmalek ZiayaAl Ittihad FC · 2010–2012
- Abderrahmane BoubekeurAS Monaco FC · 1954–1958
Abderrazak HamdallahAl Ittihad FC · 2021
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Victor Ikpeba Nosa is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a forward. Ikpeba played 31 international matches and scored seven goals for Nigeria. He was a member of Super Eagles team to the FIFA World Cups in 1994 but played and scored the lone goal against Bulgaria in the second game of the team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Ikpeba helped win the 1994 African Nations Cup and the Olympic football gold medal in 1996.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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