Former Super Eagles forward Aide Brown Ideye expresses worry over what he described as lack of discipline amongst the current Super Eagles players npflupdates.com reports.
Ideye who was part of the Super Eagles team that won the 2013 edition of the Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON), said the national team may not win the AFCON in Ivory Coast.
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The Super Eagles under the tutelage of Portuguese tactician José Peseiro, is currently in Ivory Coast where they’ll partake in the 34tu edition of the biennial tournament.
What Brown Ideye said about the Super Eagles chances at the 2023 AFCON
Ideye revealed the national team is endowed with enough quality players capable of winning the tournament. But, explained they lacked the passion which he said was a tool to winning the AFCON.
“We have players, but we don’t have a team. This team lacks discipline and passion for the country. I’m not sure they can win in Cote d’Ivoire,” the former Olympiacos player was quoted by photojournalist Adepoju Tobi Samuel.
The 35-year-old former Tianjin Teda player, advised the younger players in the squad, to always rally around the older players for guidance.
“They should all gather in the room of Ahmed Musa and discuss with him and Kenneth Omeruo. They need Musa and Omeruo to tell them how we conquered Africa in 2013.
“The discipline, the sacrifices, and how we fought and tasked ourselves when everyone have given up on us.”
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Speaking further, the former Dynamo Kyiv forward, applauded the decision of coach Peseiro to include Captain Ahmed Musa and defender Kenneth Omeruo in the Super Eagles contingent to Ivory Coast.
Ideye cried over the way and manner Nigerians call for the exclusion of their experienced players due to lack of form.
“We push out our players early, Ronaldo is still playing for Portugal, why should Ahmed Musa be left out of this AFCON? Musa and Omeruo are the oldest players in the team and only the two players from the last squad that won the AFCON, these are leaders we need in the team. The younger players must be respectful to follow their leadership,” the former Westbrom Albion player said.
He added, “Joseph Yobo played a huge role in 2013, and Vincent Enyeama as well. Every night after training, we must gather in Vincent’s room with Yobo leading the meeting.
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“We always fight ourselves and discuss how we can improve on the team and help each other. We made sacrifices in 2013 and the leadership of the experienced players was key.”
Before making his Super Eagles debut, Ideye was part of the Flying Eagles team that failed to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament in 2007.
He currently ply his trade in Kuwait after leaving Gotzepe in the Turkish Super Lig.
