Nigeria, Feb. 3 -- Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba has raised serious doubts over Frank Onyeka's decision to join Championship table-toppers Coventry City, insisting the move represents a backward step for a midfielder he believes belongs at the highest level of European football.

Onyeka completed a deadline-day loan move from Premier League side Brentford to Coventry City, signing until the end of the season. The deal includes an obligation to buy should the Sky Blues secure promotion to the Premier League; an incentive that reflects Coventry's ambition but has done little to convince Ikpeba that the move aligns with Onyeka's pedigree.

The 28-year-old struggled for consistent minutes during the first half of the sea...