Former Nigeria international Brown Ideye has thrown shades at the Super Eagles players and head coach Finidi George for failing to win any of their June qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigerians had high expectations ahead of their matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic, fueled by tough-talking Finidi and some Super Eagles stars.
What did the Super Eagles say before the games?
As Nigeria prepared to take on South Africa on Friday, Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali stressed that the desire to play at his first World Cup would motivate him to stop the Bafana Bafana.
“To be honest, I really wish to play at the World Cup because I enjoyed the atmosphere at the AFCON,” Nwabali said.
“So I really want to test the World Cup also. I’ve only watched it from behind years ago, but I really want to be part of the team going to the World Cup.”
Also speaking ahead of the crucial clash with South Africa, Kelechi Iheanacho revealed the Super Eagles are fired up for their game against Bafana Bafana, alongside the rest of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
“We’re not just prepared but as well motivated to win, not just this game against South Africa but other games in the series,” the former Manchester City forward said.
“The AFCON has come and gone. We’ve put everything about it behind us. The World Cup ticket is what’s uppermost in our minds and we’re determined to face it squarely.”
Iheanacho added that Nigeria deserve to be at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after missing the last edition in Qatar.
“We cannot afford to sit back and watch the next World Cup from the TV sets. No, we have to be there representing our country and the continent of Africa.
“To achieve this, we have to win our games, not only against South Africa but also against the other teams in the qualifiers,” the 2021 FA Cup winner added.
Sadly, despite the assurances, Nigeria's Super Eagles stumbled to a disappointing 1-1 draw with South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Three days after the draw with the Bafana Bafana, Nigeria had the chance to rekindle their World Cup hopes against Benin in Abidjan.
Once again, the Super Eagles talked tough and made all the right noises.
Alex Iwobi declared it would be a fierce battle against former Eagles coach Gernot Rohr who is now in charge of Benin's Cheetahs.
“Abidjan, training done, game tomorrow, big, big game. We bumped into Gernot Rohr; nice seeing him and his staff; nice seeing he looks well too. But tomorrow is war,” Iwobi said.
Head coach Finidi was also in the mood, stating that he recognised the fact that the Benin game offers the team to correct the mistakes made against South Africa.
“We are going to approach the game with every seriousness. The match against South Africa, that is gone. We have learnt from it. We just have to get ourselves to have that fantastic second half that we had [against South Africa]. If we can start that way tomorrow, I think we have a chance.” Finidi said.
Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu was not left out of aiming a dig or two at Benin and their manager Rohr, who handed him his Super Eagles debut five years ago.
“It will be good to go to Benin and see him again and say hello because he gave me my first call-up. I thank him for that and I appreciate him. But that doesn’t mean for us not to go there and beat him,” Onuachu said.
Ideye's shades
However, despite the mind games and word-slinging, the Super Eagles failed to bring their A-game against South Africa or Benin.
The two disastrous results drew out the ire of Brown Ideye, with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner taking to his Twitter account to drag the Super Eagles squad.
Insisting that football is not about too much talking, the former Sochaux striker made clear that letting your results show your state of mind remains the best way to go.
Ideye wrote: “Football no be Cho! Cho! Cho! [talking too much] If u no show working inside pitch no results period.”
Football no be Cho! Cho! Cho! If u no show working inside pitch no results period.
— Brown Aide Ideye (MON) (@brownaideideye) June 10, 2024
What next?
With four games played, Nigeria only boast three points and sit behind Benin, Rwanda, Lesotho, and South Africa in Group C.
There are six more games remaining, with Nigeria's Super Eagles scheduled to face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March 2025.
NB: Did the Super Eagles talked too much ahead of their games against South Africa and Benin? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
