Enyimba Football Club has entered a controversy involving Brown Ideye, who accused the club of unpaid match bonuses and poor welfare during the 2024/2025 NPFL season.
On July 25, 2025, the club responded. It denied the claims, criticized Ideye’s conduct, and defended its reputation.
Brown Ideye, a former Super Eagles striker, had joined Enyimba FC in December 2024 on a short-term deal. He played until the season ended in May 2025.
The club, chaired by Kanu Nwankwo, a former Nigerian international, had celebrated his arrival. His past success was seen as a boost to local football credibility.
Despite his respected background, Ideye claimed that Enyimba FC failed to pay him and others their match bonuses. He said this publicly on July 23, 2025.
He also stated that players got daily allowances of ₦7,000 to ₦8,000. He said the payment was unstable and insufficient for three full meals.
Moreover, on a podcast, he argued that players lived “like jobless men.” He questioned how this could happen despite the club’s large reported earnings.
Between 2023 and 2025, Enyimba reportedly earned over ₦2.3 billion, including $1 million from the African Football League and $450,000 from CAF competitions.
According to him, players did not benefit from these funds. He also suggested that the club’s welfare structure lacked fairness and consistency across the board.
The club’s response
They denied these accusations. In their official statement, they dismissed the claims and focused attention on Ideye’s conduct and underwhelming performance.
The club said they paid Ideye ₦1 million monthly. It also said he stayed in hotels costing ₦65,000 per night.
They arranged air travel for him during away games. This privilege, they claimed, was not available to most of his teammates during the same period.
Enyimba emphasized that he received personal respect. They also gave him full access to club resources, showing the club recognized his international background and status.
However, the club criticized him for scoring only five goals across all matches. It said this performance fell short of what the team had expected.
ALSO READ:
- NPFL champions Enyimba seal partnership deal with Norwegian top club HamKam FC
- AFCON: When the Super Eagles ruled Africa in 2013
- NPFL: Rivers United appoint Yemi “Yema” Olanrewaju as Chief Coach
- Bundesliga: Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface wins Rookie of the Month award again
Additionally, the club accused him of weakening team spirit. It said he disrupted harmony in the dressing room and reduced collective morale and focus.
Although the club did not post the statement on its official website, its content was confirmed by multiple media reports.
Should the club reply?
Their official website showed no post about the matter. Instead, it contained only match records, player updates, and historical club achievements.
Their X (formerly Twitter) page also had no statement. However, earlier posts showed mentions of Ideye’s performances, such as goals or substitutions.
Multiple media houses reported the club’s response in detail. The reports presented a nearly identical version of events.
This consistency implies that the club likely shared the statement through direct press briefings or interviews, rather than online public platforms.
On July 24, 2025—one day after his claims—Ideye was appointed Director of Player Pathways and Partnerships at Atlantic Business FC.
This sparked further debate. Some questioned the timing. Others believed the appointment added seriousness to his statements.
The Nigerian context and more
Despite the media back-and-forth, this dispute reveals deeper issues in Nigerian football—especially around financial transparency, player treatment, and leadership performance.
In response, Enyimba’s bold response has drawn criticism for focusing on Ideye’s goal tally rather than directly addressing the bonus payment allegation.
Many fans and analysts believe both sides raised valid points. Yet, clarity remains lacking on whether players actually received their full entitlements.
Presenting a gap between earnings and distribution, the club’s revenue figures appear strong, but internal welfare structures still seem open to doubt.
Ideye’s remarks suggest frustration not only with his experience, but with the broader working conditions across Nigerian clubs.
On the other hand, Enyimba’s sharp defense suggests concern about public image and an unwillingness to admit fault in the welfare system.
Reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, the club defended its reforms under Kanu Nwankwo’s leadership, stating that no distractions would alter its goals.
However, the club’s silence on certain issues—like bonus arrears—leaves many fans and observers with lingering questions.
With this, the incident has triggered broad public conversations about the state of the NPFL. The league aims to rebuild its image but must ensure internal integrity.
Unless clubs adopt full transparency, similar disputes will likely continue. And players may feel compelled to speak publicly rather than settle issues internally.
In conclusion, both Enyimba FC and Brown Ideye have valid concerns. But only clear documentation and independent inquiry can settle the matter effectively.
