Former Super Eagles striker and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Brown Ideye, has opened up on the harsh realities behind his rise from the streets of Ajegunle to the peak of African football, recounting a near career-ending accident, family pressures that haunt African stars, and what he called a “fake agent pandemic” destroying Nigerian football.
Ideye, speaking during an exclusive interview at the Per Second News studio, said his journey is proof that talent alone is never enough.
“A lot of people always say it’s not easy. Many are called, but few are chosen. You can have the talent, but if you don’t have the grace, you are going nowhere,” he declared.
The former striker, who played over 400 professional games across Europe, traced his beginnings to a rough childhood as the lastborn of seven children in Ajegunle, where football was the only escape route.
He recalled joining a local club, AJ Leicester, where more than 50 youngsters dreamed of success, but only two eventually broke through.
“It takes the grace of God,” Ideye said.
‘I SIGNED INJURED’
Ideye also revealed that his European breakthrough almost ended before it began after a road accident in Bayelsa left him badly injured just weeks before his first contract abroad.
He said he had impressed a Swiss club on trial and was told to return in January, but on December 22, 2007, while still with Ocean Boys, a car hit the motorcycle he was riding on the way to the bank.
“I had a deep cut below my knee. I thought that was it. I felt like it was over,” he said.
With the club demanding his arrival, Ideye said his agent initially lied about family issues until the truth came out. After receiving a video of him lying in a hospital bed, the club shocked him with its response.
“They said, ‘Let him come, we’ll take care of him,’” Ideye recalled, describing the moment as life-changing.
“There are so many stories behind the fame. People don’t know about it,” he added.
FAMILY PRESSURE AND ENTITLEMENT
Ideye also spoke on the burden African footballers face once success comes, saying many players are blackmailed or drained by relatives who feel entitled to their earnings.
“Every African player has been through that,” he said, citing how families sometimes believe “your money is my money.”
He admitted he still supports people financially, paying school fees and rent, but warned that unchecked entitlement can destroy lives and careers.
The former striker repeatedly emphasized the importance of family stability, urging young players to marry wisely.
“The woman by your side determines if you’re going to have a long career or a short career,” he said.
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‘FAKE AGENT PANDEMIC’ AND NIGERIA FOOTBALL DECLINE
Turning to Nigerian football, Ideye blasted what he called a growing crisis of fraudulent agents exploiting desperate youngsters with fake promises of trials abroad.
“Any agent that says bring money for ticket and visa to travel for a trial — that’s fraud,” he warned.
He said families now sell land to raise millions for quack agents, only to be ripped off.
Beyond agents, Ideye lamented the collapse of infrastructure and planning, comparing Nigeria unfavourably with Morocco, which he said has invested heavily in modern academies and facilities.
“Morocco is not like an African country. Morocco is like you’re in Spain,” he said, praising the country’s football academy with multiple pitches and laboratories.
He described Lagos stadiums as unplayable and training pitches littered with stones.
“How can you harvest good players from that pitch and bring them to the national team?” he asked.
RETURN TO NPFL AND UNPAID SALARIES
Ideye explained that his decision to return to the Nigeria Professional Football League was driven by a desire to promote the league, not financial gain.
But he painted a grim picture of unpaid salaries and bonuses, revealing he sometimes used his personal money to support teammates and prevent match boycotts.
“It’s not supposed to be so,” he said.
AFCON GLORY REMAINS MY BIGGEST MOMENT
Despite his European trophies and Champions League goals, Ideye said nothing compares to winning the AFCON with Nigeria.
“Winning something for my country means a lot to me… writing my name in the history books,” he said.
Ideye called for a total reset of Nigerian football, insisting the country must rebuild from the grassroots, invest in facilities, and properly honour ex-internationals.
“If there’s no history, there’s no future,” he warned.
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