Brown Ideye, a key figure in the 2013 AFCON-winning squad, has tempered expectations for the Super Eagles in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ideye voiced concerns about the current team’s apparent lack of hunger and discipline, casting doubts on their ability to secure a fourth trophy in Ivory Coast
“We have players, but we don’t have a team. This team lacksdiscipline and passion for the country. I’m not sure they can win inCote d’Ivoire.
“They should all gather in the room of Ahmed Musa and discusswith him and Kenneth Omeruo. They need Musa and Omeruo to tellthem how we conquered Africa in 2013.
“The discipline, the sacrifices, and how we fought and taskedourselves when everyone have given up on us.” He told 54footballx during an X space interview.
Ideye raises questions about the team’s overall commitment and dedication as they gear up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, pointing out that players in the current Super Eagles squad, born and raised abroad, are not displaying sufficient passion for the game.
“They (players of overseas decent) don’t have the passion to play for Nigeria. I met some of them after we failed to qualify (for the 2022 World Cup) at the airport when I was returning to England,” he added.
“They left the country the following day after the defeat to Ghana. They didn’t care how they threw the country into sadness. The NFF must enforce discipline in the team.”
The Eagles, will begin their campaign on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea.
They will also face hosts Ivory Coast on January 22, before battling Guinea-Bissau for their last Group A game.
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