“Things Dey Occur”: Super Eagles Legend Explains How Interference Cost Him 2014 World Cup Spot
- Brown Ideye has opened up on how he missed the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosted in Brazil despite his impressive form
- The former Enyimba forward was instrumental in Nigeria winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
- The 36-year-old also explained how he moved from the Russian league to the English Premier League
Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye explained the circumstances behind missing the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The forward played a vital role in Stephen Keshi's team that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, where Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final.
The former Ocean Boys legend played for the People's Elephant in the 2024/25 NPFL season, scoring two goals in seven matches.
Source: Getty Images
Ideye narrates rift with former agent
Former Nigerian international Brown Ideye revealed that his former Nigerian agent tried to frustrate his move to the English Premier League after winning the 2013 AFCON.
Speaking on the Bet9ja Home Turf Podcast, the one-time NPFL player explained that he wanted a move from Dynamo Kyiv after a rift with the management.
The former Olympiacos said his former agent had issues with his UK agent after the West Brom deal was sealed. He said:
"It started after the 2013 AFCON. I went back home and had an issue with Dynamo Kyiv, and had to leave. During that period, I had a Nigerian agent whom I worked with from my first deal till Kyiv.
"I was like I have to leave but he insisted I had to stay because I got other offers. I told him I wanted to leave, and he was not forthcoming. The UK agent brought the West Brom deal, and my Nigerian agent failed to work together due to commission wahala.
"My agent said I would not go, but I followed the UK agent, and I sealed the West Brom move. After the deal, my Nigerian agent called me and was upset about the whole thing. I made some statement and I felt like the best thing was to let him go because he was saying some things I was not comfortable with, and we cannot work together anymore."
Source: Getty Images
How I missed the 2014 World Cup - Ideye
Super Eagles legend Brown Ideye stated that his former Nigerian agent used his influence to prevent him from being selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad in Brazil.
Ideye said that late Stephen Keshi advised him to settle with the agent if he wanted to be part of the squad.
The former Bayelsa United legend explained that a friend in the national team reached out to him on the case. He said:
"Two weeks later, I got a call from someone close to me in the national team and asked me what problem I had with my agent; I told him we do not have anything together, and my lawyer has served him a letter of termination.
"He said anything I have with the agent should be settled amicably because it might affect my calling up for the World Cup. I was thinking it was a usual joke, and I said, 'I do not have any business with the agent any longer and fired him because he is not there for me but is thinking for himself.
"To cut a long story short, the list came out and I was not included. I was not surprised that my name was not there. It hurts. I spoke to the late Stephen Keshi before the list, and he told me to settle my differences.
"I have to say rest in peace to Big Boss (Stephen Keshi); it was not his fault that I was not there. I understood everything that happened."
Brown Ideye scored a goal as Super Eagles beat Mali 4-1 in the 2013 AFCON semi-final, per The Guardian.
NPFL players are suffering - Ideye
Legit.ng earlier reported that Super Eagles legend Brown Ideye said Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) players' welfare management is usually poor while they play for their respective clubs.
The Dynamo Kyiv legend said players are given as low as ₦7,000 per day for their meals when they travel.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
