New Enyimba striker Brown Ideye has disclosed that several Nigerian players abroad are eager to return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), following in the footsteps of Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, and himself.
Ideye, a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, joined Enyimba on a deal until the end of the 2024/25 season, becoming the third foreign-based player to return to the league this season.
The 36-year-old made his NPFL return as a second-half substitute in Enyimba’s goalless draw against Bendel Insurance on Tuesday. Ideye last played in the Nigerian topflight for Ocean Boys in 2006 before representing Nigeria at the Canada 2007 U-20 World Cup.
Ideye revealed that he has received messages from several Nigerian players abroad expressing their desire to return to the NPFL.
“I feel like a player like me coming back is something good. I received a lot of messages from other players playing abroad, those who are looking forward to being part of this,” Ideye said after his debut.
“I have a lot of them messages on Instagram. They will like to come and we just have to give everyone their respect and support to improve the league and make it a homecoming. A lot of players in Europe are not doing well, they want to come back home,” Ideye added.
Enyimba’s goalless draw against Bendel Insurance was their first game under new coach Stanley Eguma and marked their 13th consecutive game without a win in all competitions.
