- Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye criticizes NPFL’s declining standards, emphasizing poor player welfare and inadequate preparation for continental competitions
- Enyimba forward reveals systemic issues in Nigerian football, calling for significant improvements in travel, accommodation, and player support
Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has voiced concerns over the declining state of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), stating that it is “getting worse.”
The 36-year-old forward, who rejoined Enyimba in December 2024 for a second stint in the league, returned after 17 years away following his time with Ocean Boys of Bayelsa.
Since his return, Ideye has expressed disappointment in the league’s lack of progress, emphasizing that it has “a long way to go.”
“The system is getting worse. My time at Enyimba has been wonderful, but many aspects of the league need improvement,” he said.
Ideye scored for Enyimba in their only victory during the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup group stage. The club, the last Nigerian representative in the tournament, exited in the group stage with just five points from a possible 18.
Criticizing the team’s arrangements for continental matches, Ideye asserted that Nigerian clubs are ill-prepared for international competition.
“The travel arrangements are poor, the feeding is inadequate, the hotels are substandard, and players don’t get the necessary support to relax before matches.
“Nigerian clubs are not ready for continental football. We need to get our house in order before competing at that level instead of embarrassing ourselves,” he said.
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