Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has publicly criticised Enyimba FC’s treatment of players during the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season.
Speaking on Home Turf podcast, the 36-year-old made the startling revelations about the financial realities he faced after joining the People’s Elephant midway through the campaign.
“Sometimes 8K, sometimes 7K. The money isn’t even stable,” said Ideye.
“It’s not for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it’s all you get for the day.”
Brown Ideye with Enyimba teammates( photo credit: Getty Images)
The money, according to Ideye, is usually transferred to the team captain for distribution during travel.
“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.”
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Ideye joined Enyimba during the second half of the season under newly appointed coach Stanley Eguma after the dismissal of Yemi Olaniwaju due to poor form.
The striker contributed significantly, scoring five goals in 13 appearances, including four goals in 10 NPFL matches and one goal in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Enyimba eventually turned their season around, finishing 5th on the NPFL table with 55 points, a solid recovery after a sluggish start.
Brown Ideye (Photo credit: The Athletic Images)
Despite their strong finish, Ideye’s comments paint a worrying picture of internal conditions at one of Nigeria’s most storied clubs.
“You don’t receive match bonuses weekly or monthly. They accumulate it and give it at the end of the season,” Ideye said.
“There’s no fixed rate sometimes ₦15K, sometimes ₦10K, depending on what the captain and chairman agreed before the season.”
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He added that players not included in the matchday squad are given a small consolation called “shiribe”, worth around ₦5,000.
Brown Ideye at Enyimba (Photo credit: The Athletic Images)
The revelations have prompted fresh debate about player welfare in the NPFL and raised concerns over the sustainability of club structures, even among elite teams with Enyimba’s stature.
The Aba-based club, a record nine-time NPFL champion and two-time CAF Champions League winner, has yet to comment on Ideye’s claims.
