For Victory Akpe, the message that changed his football career did not arrive through a formal letter or an expected phone call. It came through Instagram.
The Basel defender had already been receiving messages from people telling him that he had the potential to play for the Super Eagles, but he did not take them too seriously. He was focused on his club career and continued working with his agent.
Then, one night, everything changed.
Akpe said he woke up to use the restroom and noticed a message on Instagram from a verified account belonging to the Super Eagles coach. The coach asked for his phone number. After exchanging numbers, the coach called him, and it was during that conversation that Akpe became certain the opportunity was genuine.
That Instagram message eventually led to his invitation to the Nigerian national team for the international friendly against Russia.
For a player who was still in Nigeria less than two years earlier, the moment represented another major step in a remarkably quick rise through European football.
Akpe was born in Begger Camp, Kubwa, Abuja, and grew up as the only boy among four sisters. His parents initially wanted him to concentrate on his education, but as they began to notice his potential in football, they allowed him to pursue the sport alongside his studies.
His football journey began in Abuja, where he played for Chidex Academy.
However, Akpe soon realised that he needed to move outside his comfort zone if he wanted to progress. He relocated to Lagos and joined Hyraj Football Club.
The move was not easy.
He had no family or friends in Lagos and struggled with the challenges of adapting to a new environment. Even feeding and taking care of himself became difficult at times.
There were moments when he considered returning to Abuja.
But he stayed.
His determination eventually paid off when his agent noticed him, opening the door to a move abroad.
Akpe joined FK Banga in Lithuania, where he initially had to wait for his opportunity. The cold weather and unfamiliar environment presented another challenge, but he continued working until he earned the trust of his coach.
His time in Lithuania became an important stage in his development. He later moved to Hungary before Basel came calling from Switzerland.
In a little more than a year, Akpe had moved through three European football environments, each presenting a different challenge and demanding greater tactical understanding.
The defender admitted that his early approach to the game was based heavily on aggression. European football, however, forced him to develop a more disciplined understanding of defending.
He learned to pay closer attention to positioning, marking, timing and the details involved in winning duels.
Watching his own match clips also became part of his development. Rather than simply moving on after making mistakes, Akpe began studying why he lost the ball, mistimed a challenge or failed to complete a pass.
For him, mistakes became opportunities to improve.
His progress at Basel has now earned him a chance to introduce himself to the Super Eagles setup.
Akpe said receiving the invitation left him somewhat shocked, although he was not completely surprised because he believed consistent hard work could eventually produce such an opportunity.
He immediately shared the news with his agent, parents and friends, who were proud of his achievement.
The defender now wants to turn the invitation into something more permanent.
Akpe believes he can contribute to the Super Eagles by carrying the ball forward from defence, creating space for midfielders and helping build attacks. He also described himself as an aggressive defender who enjoys running, winning duels and protecting the goal.
The upcoming international friendly against Russia could therefore provide his first opportunity to show Nigerian supporters what he can offer.
Beyond the immediate chance, Akpe has much bigger ambitions.
He wants to represent Nigeria at the World Cup and help the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations again. He also hopes Nigeria can once again compete confidently against some of the biggest football nations in Europe.
His development has also been shaped by conversations with experienced players. At Basel, he has spoken with former Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri about what it means to represent a national team.
For a young defender whose European journey began less than two years ago, Akpe’s story has moved remarkably quickly.
From playing football in Abuja and struggling to establish himself in Lagos, to earning opportunities in Lithuania, Hungary and Switzerland, his career has taken him to a stage he once could only have imagined.
And fittingly, the message that opened the door to Nigeria’s senior national team came through a platform he was probably already using every day.
One Instagram message from a verified account became the confirmation that his hard work had taken him somewhere new.
Now, Akpe has an opportunity to turn that message into the beginning of a new chapter in his international career.
