Enyimba International striker Brown Ideye, has expressed concern over the declining standards of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), urging for improvements if the league hopes to compete successfully at the continental level.
The 36-year-old began his football career in the NPFL with Bayelsa United during the 2006/2007 season. He later moved to Ocean Boys, where he won the NPFL title that same year.
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After his time in Nigeria, Ideye played for European clubs such as Neuchâtel Xamax, Sochaux, Dynamo Kyiv, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiacos, Tianjin Teda, and Malaga.
Brown Ideye (Photo credit: The Athletic Images)
He recently returned to the NPFL to join Enyimba International, where he has scored two goals in six matches.
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Despite his positive experience at Enyimba, Ideye is troubled by the decline in the league’s overall standard since his last appearance in Nigeria.
“The system is getting worse, the league is not improving. I feel we have a long way to go, and while my time at Enyimba has been enjoyable, there are many aspects of the league that need serious improvement,” Ideye said in an interview
Ideye, who won the 2013 AFCON with Nigeria, also pointed out that inadequate player welfare is a key factor contributing to the poor performance of NPFL teams in continental football.
“In terms of traveling, feeding, hotels, and helping players relax, everything is subpar. Nigerians and the clubs are not ready for continental football. We need to get our house in order before competing on the continental stage, instead of going there and embarrassing ourselves,” he added.
Enyimba International currently sits 9th on the NPFL table, 12 points behind leaders Remo Stars.