In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, Nigeria ex-international and former Olympiacos striker Brown Ideye shared his reflections on missing out on the 2014 World Cup despite playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s AFCON triumph the year before.
Ideye, who has no hard feelings towards the late Stephen Keshi for excluding him from the 2014 World Cup squad, criticized the current Super Eagles for lacking the unity and spirit that characterized the 2013 AFCON-winning team.
No Hard Feelings Towards Late Stephen Keshi
Reflecting on his experience with the late Stephen Keshi and his absence from the 2014 World Cup, Ideye emphasized that he holds no grudges against Keshi. “Never,” he said, explaining his respect for Keshi and his decision-making.
“Whether I’m angry or not, it was Stephen Keshi who took me to the Nations Cup. If he didn’t select me for the World Cup, it was because he had to make tough decisions for the team,” Ideye told SportsBoom.
When asked whether his teammates should have advocated for him, Ideye was clear. “They couldn’t have done anything. No matter what they said or tried, no one had the ‘balls’ to confront the coach directly,” he explained. “He made decisions based on his judgment.”
“I wasn’t upset about what he did or about the players not fighting for me. It’s over; I just moved on.”
Current Super Eagles: Talent vs. Heart
Ideye contrasted the 2013 AFCON-winning squad with the current Super Eagles, noting that while the current team is more talented, they lack the heart and unity of the past team.
“Yes, this current team has more talented players on paper than our team in 2013, but they don’t have the heart we had,” Ideye said.
He elaborated on the differences. “Back then, apart from Victor Moses, Mikel Obi, and Vincent Enyeama, there were no major stars in the squad. Some players were clubless or playing in the Nigerian top flight. Onazi was at Lazio but wasn’t a starter.”
“In contrast, today’s squad includes players like Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), Iwobi, Bassey (Fulham), Ajayi, Ola Aina, and Zaidu Sanusi (Porto). Almost all the players are in elite leagues, with many in the EPL.”
Team Bonding and Discipline: Key Differences
Ideye emphasized the importance of team bonding and discipline under the late Stephen Keshi.
“We supported one another, leaving disputes on the field and moving on after the game,” Ideye recalled. “We encouraged each other and avoided criticism.”
He also highlighted Keshi’s strict discipline. “Discipline in camp was crucial. If bedtime was 8 pm, that was the rule,” he noted. “For me, I believe this discipline was key to our success.”
100% Commitment or You’re Out!
Ideye attributed the success of the 2013 squad to the respect and fear Keshi commanded. “Keshi demanded 100% commitment from players. If a player wasn’t delivering in training, they risked losing their spot,” he said.
“Ike Uche, for example, began coming off the bench because Keshi wasn’t satisfied with his training performance, despite Uche playing at Villarreal at the time.”
Keshi’s approach was clear: “He always reminded us of the available options and expected full commitment. If you couldn’t deliver, there were others who could.”
Talent Alone Won’t Bring Success
When discussing his expectations for the current squad, Ideye was cautious. “Talent is evident, but the unity and heart are missing. If they can address these issues, they might achieve a lot. But in football, anything can happen,” he concluded.
