Former African Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has expressed disappointment over Frank Onyeka’s move from Brentford to Coventry City.
Onyeka joined Coventry City on loan on deadline day, with the deal set to run until the end of the season. The agreement also includes an option for Coventry to sign him permanently if they secure promotion to the Premier League.
Coventry City are currently top of the Championship, level on points with Middlesbrough. Despite this, Ikpeba believes the move is a step backward for a player of Onyeka’s quality.
The Nigerian midfielder struggled for game time at Brentford this season. He started only three matches in the Carabao Cup and made six substitute appearances in the Premier League.
However, Onyeka played an important role for the Super Eagles at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria won the bronze medal. His performances at the tournament impressed many observers.
Speaking on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football, Ikpeba said Onyeka deserves to be playing at a higher level.
These things happen in football when a player is not getting enough minutes, Ikpeba said. “He is a top player who always gives everything when he plays, even in the few chances he had at Brentford.
It’s not nice for him to drop down to the Championship. It would have been better if he moved to another Premier League club or a strong team in France, Italy, Spain, or another top league. It’s really sad.
Ikpeba, who played for clubs like Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco, added that he never played in the lower divisions during most of his career.
I never played in the lower leagues during my 15 or 16 years as a professional. I only had a chance to do that towards the end of my career, he said.
He insisted that Onyeka has already proven he belongs at the top level.
We saw what he can do with the ball during the Nations Cup, Ikpeba said. He needs to be at a stronger club, playing regularly in the Premier League or getting a new opportunity elsewhere. Moving to Coventry just because they are leading the league doesn’t make sense.
Before his time at Brentford, Onyeka also played for top-flight clubs FC Midtjylland and FC Augsburg.
