When former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye signed for Enyimba FC last season, his arrival was hailed as a coup for Nigerian football.
The two-time African champions, led by legendary ex-international Kanu Nwankwo, were seen as entering a new era of ambition and professionalism.
But barely a year later, Ideye’s stint has ended in bitter controversy, unmet expectations, and accusations that have thrown the club into the media spotlight.
At the heart of the storm are claims made by Ideye regarding alleged poor player welfare at Enyimba, claims the club has firmly rejected, calling them “misleading” and “self-serving.”
Ideye, who boasts a career that includes spells in the English Premier League and Europe’s top leagues, joined Enyimba on a reported ₦1 million monthly salary, one of the highest in the team.
His contract included perks rarely afforded to local league players: a ₦65,000-per-night hotel accommodation, air travel for away games, and other privileges.
These were extended as a sign of respect for his international pedigree.
But on the pitch, the return was underwhelming, with Ideye scoring just five goals in all competitions, a tally that disappointed fans and fell far short of expectations given the club’s investment in him.
Beyond the statistics, Ideye’s influence reportedly caused friction within the squad, as his presence was said to have disrupted team cohesion and created tension, a concern that made Rivers United reject the chance to sign him before he joined Enyimba.
Ideye recently made headlines with public comments alleging poor treatment of players, including claims that some earned as little as ₦7,000 daily and were denied bonuses.
Enyimba’s management, however, has pushed back firmly, saying such accusations misrepresent the reality under Kanu Nwankwo’s leadership.
Under the current administration, Enyimba has implemented a more structured bonus system, replacing the inconsistent, end-of-season payments previously dependent on government allocations.
Players are now reportedly paid bonuses intermittently and, in some cases, double bonuses for both home and away wins.
Club officials also stated that both Kanu Nwankwo and the sporting director have personally added ₦500,000 to ₦1 million in performance-related bonuses to motivate the squad.
One official revealed that “all entitlements, including those of departing players, have been settled promptly,” stressing, “These are verifiable facts; anyone can speak to the team captain or coaching staff.”
Enyimba’s management says the episode has been a hard lesson in balancing sentiment with practicality.
While Ideye was brought in with the best intentions, his tenure has left a sour aftertaste, with the club saying
“His outbursts seem more about grabbing attention than telling the truth.”
Despite the controversy, Enyimba appears committed to its reform agenda, as under Kanu Nwankwo’s watch, the club has focused on player welfare, financial discipline, and restoring its competitive edge in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
