Club Brugge Coach Slams Onyedika After Eagles Duty — Legend Fires Back

Ivan Leko picked the wrong fight. And a Club Brugge legend made sure he knew it.

The Belgian club’s coach publicly took aim at Nigerian midfielder Raphael Onyedika following Brugge’s 4-2 win over Anderlecht — suggesting international duty had left the 24-year-old running on empty. Leko’s words were pointed: “A team building here, a spa resort there… once back, they call for an ambulance.”

Onyedika had played 90 minutes in that win, coming off minimal recovery time after representing the Super Eagles in World Cup qualifying. Fatigue was understandable. The sarcasm wasn’t.

Marc Degryse didn’t let it pass. The former Club Brugge icon — 235 appearances, a Belgian Pro League title, serious credibility — called Leko’s comments “unwise.” Publicly. Degryse argued that criticising players for honoring their national teams damages dressing room morale and could sour relationships with other international coaches around the squad.

Onyedika, meanwhile, had earned CAF Man of the Match recognition during the international window. He came back and played a full game in a derby.

An ambulance. That’s the word Leko chose.

Degryse chose “unwise.” He was being polite.