Ifeanyi Udeze Explained

Ifeanyi Udeze
Fullname:Ifeanyi Udeze
Birth Date:21 July 1980
Birth Place:Lagos, Nigeria
Height:1.79 m
Position:Left-back
Years1:1997
Clubs1:Bendel Insurance
Years2:1997–2000
Clubs2:Kavala
Caps2:59
Goals2:0
Years3:2000–2006
Clubs3:PAOK
Caps3:103
Goals3:1
Years4:2003
Clubs4:West Bromwich Albion (loan)
Caps4:10
Goals4:0
Years5:2006–2007
Clubs5:AEK Athens
Caps5:3
Goals5:0
Years6:2007
Clubs6:Bendel Insurance
Years7:2007–2008
Clubs7:PAOK
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Totalcaps:175
Totalgoals:1
Nationalyears1:2000–2005
Nationalteam1:Nigeria
Nationalcaps1:35
Nationalgoals1:0

Ifeanyi Udeze (born 21 July 1980) is a Nigerian pundit, sports broadcaster and former professional footballer who played as a defender.[1] He is currently a football analyst at Brila FM, in Lagos.[2]

He participated in the 2002 World Cup, and played mainly as a left-back, he is also used as centre-back.[3] [4]

Early Life

Udeze was born in Ajegunle, Lagos, Nigeria.[5]

Club career

Udeze played for clubs such as Bendel Insurance FC, AO Kavalas (Greece) and PAOK Thessaloniki, before joining West Bromwich Albion in 2003.[6]

In his first season with the Albion, he played in the Premier League, joining the club on loan in the latter stages of the season after which Albion were relegated.

He was released from AEK Athens in January 2007, six months after signing a three-year contract on 11 August 2006.

On 4 July 2007, he returned to PAOK FC, signing a two-year deal. A niggling knee injury prevented him from grabbing a first team spot[7] [8] and he was released after a year at the club.

International career

Udeze first came into international limelight at the inaugural UEFA-CAF Meridian Cup held in Portugal in 1997, a tournament where Spain's Xavi and Portugal's Simao made their mark. He was a member of the Fanny Amun-led Nigerian squad that beat Spain 3–2 to win the tournament.[9] Some members of the squad included Rabiu Afolabi, Joseph Enakarhire, Bright Igbinadolor, Chijioke Nwankpa, Hashimu Garba, and Mohammed Aliyu Datti.[10]

Having made his full international debut in 2001, Udeze went on to feature for Nigeria at the 2002 African Cup of Nations and 2004, and the 2002 World Cup, playing two games.[11] [12]

At the 2002 African Cup of Nations held in Mali, he was selected among the CAF Team of the Tournament.[13]

In 2004, Udeze announced his decision to end his international career.[14]

Ifeanyi Udeze last featured for Nigeria in a 2006 World Cup qualifier against Angola in 2005.[15]

Playing style

Udeze was noted for his feistiness, intelligent marking and remarkable recovery rate. He was Nigeria's most fouled defender in games he featured in.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Akinbo . Peter . 2022-09-02 . I lost a lot of money after Eagles World Cup failure – Udeze . 2024-07-25 . Punch Newspapers . en-US.
  2. Web site: Ifeanyi Udeze Teams up with Brila FM's as Football Analyst  – THISDAYLIVE . 2024-07-25 . www.thisdaylive.com.
  3. Web site: Telegraph . New . 2022-11-12 . why super eagles didn't go far at 2002 world cup, by Ifeanyi Udeze - New Telegraph . 2024-07-25 . newtelegraphng.com . en-US.
  4. Web site: Brila . 2018-01-25 . How Oliseh Scouted me for the Super Eagles - Udeze . 2024-07-25 . Latest Sports News In Nigeria . en-US.
  5. Web site: Alawode . Adebowale . 23 January 2013 . NFA Still Owes Me N1.4m Six Years After . 25 July 2024 . PM News.
  6. Web site: Abodunrin . Morakinyo . July 25, 2024 . IFEANYI UDEZE: I regretted not playing for Juventus . July 25, 2024 . The Nation.
  7. Web site: Ifeanyi Udeze Files for Divorce - OnlineNigeria.com. nm.onlinenigeria.com. en. 2018-05-14. 8 November 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141108231712/http://nm.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=13918. dead.
  8. Web site: Erons . Imhons . 2020-08-15 . Former Nigerian Star Reveals Real Reason Behind His Early Super Eagles Exit - Soccernet NG . 2024-07-25 . Soccernet.ng . en-US.
  9. Web site: IFEANYI UDEZE INTERVIEW. - Cybereagles . 2024-07-25 . forum.cybereagles.com.
  10. Web site: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/features-and-interviews/392119-interview-why-nigerias-successful-youth-teams-dont-succeed-at-senior-level-fanny-amun.html?tztc=1 . 2024-07-25 . www.premiumtimesng.com.
  11. Web site: Olaleye . Lanre . 26 February 2001 . Nigeria: 2002 World Cup Qualifier: NFA Insists On Udeze . 25 July 2024 . PM News.
  12. Web site: 2022-11-19 . Nigeria 2002 World Cup: Remembering the Super Eagles' Classic Team Goal.com Nigeria . 2024-07-25 . www.goal.com . en-NG.
  13. Web site: Sunny . Idachaba . 2023-08-11 . Oba Otudeko, Ifeanyi Udeze Where are they now? . 2024-07-25 . Blueprint Newspapers Limited . en-US.
  14. News: 2004-07-22 . Udeze quits Nigeria . 2024-07-25 . en-GB.
  15. Web site: Erons . Imhons . 2020-08-15 . Former Nigerian Star Reveals Real Reason Behind His Early Super Eagles Exit - Soccernet NG . 2024-07-25 . Soccernet.ng . en-US.
  16. Web site: Sunny . Idachaba . 2023-08-11 . Oba Otudeko, Ifeanyi Udeze Where are they now? . 2024-07-25 . Blueprint Newspapers Limited . en-US.