Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has opened up about his difficult childhood in Ajegunle, Lagos, describing football as the lifeline that helped him escape poverty and build a successful professional career.
The former Nigerian international made the revelation while reflecting on his journey from the streets of Ajegunle to playing for clubs across Europe and representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Ideye explained that growing up in the area was challenging, but football offered him an opportunity to change his circumstances. He developed his talent while playing for Oshodi Secondary School at the Tolu Complex, nurturing a dream that would eventually take him beyond Nigeria.
“Back in Ajegunle, football is the only thing that you can do there that can bring you out of it. Out from the struggle, out from the poverty,” he said.
How one opportunity changed his life
Ideye credited football figure Yomi Itsekure with playing a crucial role in launching his professional career.
According to the former striker, Itsekure noticed his talent during a competition at the Navy Barracks after watching him play for AJ Leicester.
Impressed by his performances, Itsekure offered him an opportunity to join Ocean Boys, explaining that the plan was to help him progress through Nigeria’s youth teams before earning a place in the senior national side.
Although Ideye initially doubted the promise, he eventually joined the Nigerian club, where he said he received tremendous support from the management, supporters and team leadership.
His performances and goals helped him establish himself and brought him closer to achieving his childhood ambition.
The opportunity proved decisive, opening the door to youth international football and eventually the Super Eagles.
From Ajegunle to the international stage
Ideye’s progress took him to the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada, his first major international tournament. He later represented Nigeria’s Under-23 team under coach Samson Siasia.
He credited Siasia and Itsekure with helping him reach the senior national team, adding that he scored the winning goal in his first friendly appearance for Nigeria against Niger in Abuja.
The performance, he believes, helped him win the confidence of the late Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.
His career subsequently took him to Europe, where he played for clubs including Neuchâtel Xamax in Switzerland, West Bromwich Albion in England, Olympiacos in Greece and Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine.
He recalled that his time at West Bromwich Albion was affected by injuries and limited playing opportunities, but described his spell at Olympiacos as particularly enjoyable.
At the Greek club, he featured in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, achieving ambitions he had held since his early days in Nigeria.
After years abroad, Ideye returned to Nigeria for a short spell with Enyimba, having discussed the possibility of playing for half a season before retiring with club president Nwankwo Kanu.
Ideye calls for better football development in Nigeria
Beyond his personal story, the former striker expressed concern about the structure of Nigerian football, arguing that the country has enough talented youngsters but needs a better system to identify and develop them.
He called for improved sporting facilities, stronger youth competitions and a clear development pathway from secondary school football through the Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 national teams to the Super Eagles.
Ideye believes such a structure would give emerging players the opportunity to develop their abilities and prepare for the demands of professional football.
He also advised aspiring footballers to be cautious about the people they trust, warning that some individuals in the industry may take advantage of young players pursuing professional careers.
He urged them to surround themselves with people who understand their ambitions, offer genuine support and can help them grow.
Ideye’s journey from Ajegunle to European football illustrates how opportunity, talent and the right guidance can transform a young person’s future. His message to the next generation is clear: talent matters, but having the right people around you and a system that supports your development can make all the difference.
