Brown Ideye slams Enyimba FC over poor welfare

When former Super Eagles captain Kanu Nwankwo took over as Chairman of Enyimba FC, many expected Nigeria’s most successful club to be run with top-level professionalism. However, recent comments by former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye have cast doubt on the club’s internal management and player welfare during the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.

Speaking on the Home Turf podcast, the 36-year-old striker criticised the club’s treatment of players, describing his experience as disappointing despite Enyimba’s prestigious status.

“Sometimes 8K, sometimes 7K. The money isn’t even stable,” Ideye revealed. “It’s not for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – it’s all you get for the day.”

According to him, the club provided meagre daily stipends during away games, which were often sent to the team captain for distribution.

“Let’s say we are coming to Lagos for a game on Sunday. You get ₦7K on Friday, ₦7K on Saturday. But on Sunday matchday, you’re on your own,” he added.

Contributions on the Pitch, Issues Off It

Ideye joined Enyimba midway through the season under coach Stanley Eguma, who replaced Yemi Olaniwaju after a poor run of results. Despite his frustrations, Ideye made a notable impact, scoring five goals in 13 matches, including four in the NPFL and one in the CAF Confederation Cup. His contributions helped the club recover to finish 5th on the NPFL table with 55 points.

However, Ideye’s revelations about unpaid bonuses and inconsistent allowances paint a troubling picture. He disclosed that match bonuses were only paid at the end of the season, with amounts fluctuating between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000 depending on agreements between the captain and the chairman. Players who were not part of the matchday squad reportedly received a token called “shiribe”, worth around ₦5,000.

A Wake-Up Call for Enyimba and NPFL Clubs

The allegations have sparked conversations about the financial realities of Nigerian clubs, even those with Enyimba’s storied history as nine-time NPFL champions and two-time CAF Champions League winners.

Enyimba has yet to respond to Ideye’s claims, but his comments raise fresh concerns over the sustainability of player welfare in the league – particularly for a club led by a former Super Eagles skipper and Arsenal star who was expected to bring professionalism and improved standards.