Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has sparked a wave of reaction after exposing what he called unacceptable player treatment at Nigeria Premier Football League side Enyimba FC, where he played during the 2024–25 season, Footynaija.com reports.
The 36-year-old forward, who returned to the NPFL in December 2024 after 17 years in Europe and Asia, publicly criticised the club for neglecting basic player welfare and failing to pay agreed match bonuses, even after the league concluded in May.
In an X post, Ideye called on Enyimba to settle outstanding payments:
“BECAUSE I GET MONEY I SHOULD NOT ASK FOR THE ONE I WORK FOR? PLEASE PAY ME AND THE PLAYERS LAST SEASON MATCH BONUSES.. @EnyimbaFC THE SEASON ENDED IN MAY, TILL NOW NOTHING. NEW SEASON WILL START NEXT MONTH ”
BECAUSE I GET MONEY I SHOULD NOT ASK FOR THE ONE I WORK FOR? PLEASE PAY ME AND THE PLAYERS LAST SEASON MATCH BONUSES.. @EnyimbaFC THE SEASON ENDED IN MAY, TILL NOW NOTHING. NEW SEASON WILL START NEXT MONTH🤷🏾♂️
— Brown Aide Ideye (MON) (@brownaideideye) July 23, 2025
Speaking further, Ideye revealed that players at Enyimba were given just ₦7,000 per match-day as feeding allowance, sometimes ₦8,000, depending on the fixture. But he stressed that this wasn’t a daily benefit, and that it was only applicable when a game was scheduled.
The former Olympiacos and West Brom striker also explained that once a match was played, players were effectively left to sort themselves out: no post-match support, no bonuses, and no assurances.
Reactions have poured in, with fans, journalists, and ex-players backing Ideye’s courage. Former NPFL top scorer Mfon Udoh echoed his concerns, saying “the system is broken, and those who benefit from it often defend it, even when they know the truth.”
Ideye helped Enyimba recover from a poor run in the second half of the 2024–25 campaign. He scored key goals under Stanley Eguma’s leadership, guiding the Aba-based club to a top-six finish.
