Former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has opened a troubling conversation about player welfare in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), revealing that he received only ₦7,000 to ₦8,000 as a feeding allowance per matchday while at Enyimba FC.
Ideye, a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner and one of Nigeria’s most respected forwards abroad, rejoined the Nigerian top flight in 2024 after 17 years away, signing with Enyimba to inject his wealth of international experience into the People’s Elephant. His return was expected to inspire a new era for the club, especially under the leadership of Nigerian football icon Kanu Nwankwo, who had been appointed club chairman.
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But Ideye’s recent revelations paint a sobering picture of life at Nigeria’s most decorated football club. Speaking on the Honest Bunch podcast and sharing further insights on X, the 36-year-old striker described his time at Enyimba as deeply disappointing.
“Sometimes 8K, sometimes 7K. The money isn’t even stable,” Ideye explained. “It’s not for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—it’s all you get for the day.”
He detailed how players were given the meager allowance for away trips—₦7,000 on Friday and ₦7,000 on Saturday—but received nothing on Sunday, the actual matchday.
Beyond feeding, Ideye disclosed that players only received their bonuses at the end of the season, with inconsistent payments ranging from ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 based on verbal agreements between the team captain and club chairman. For those not in the matchday squad, a token called “shiribe” worth ₦5,000 was sometimes shared.
Performance on the Pitch, Problems Off It
Despite the financial challenges, Ideye made his mark on the pitch. He scored five goals across all competitions—four in the NPFL and one in the CAF Confederation Cup—helping Enyimba recover from a poor start to finish 5th on the league table with 55 points.
He had joined midway through the season under new coach Stanley Eguma, who replaced Yemi Olanrewaju after a turbulent start. But off-field struggles, especially with financial inconsistencies, overshadowed the team’s recovery.
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A Reflection on Nigerian Football Management
Ideye’s statements raise serious concerns about the reality of life for players in the NPFL — even at a club as reputable as Enyimba. That these revelations come under the leadership of a figure like Kanu Nwankwo, a former Arsenal star and Nigeria’s most decorated football legend, only makes the conversation more urgent.
For fans, stakeholders, and young players dreaming of stardom in the NPFL, Ideye’s honesty is a wake-up call. The expectation that Nigerian clubs — especially the elite — will offer professionalism, adequate welfare, and financial stability must no longer be delayed.
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If Nigerian football is to grow and attract both foreign investments and homegrown loyalty, its top clubs must treat players with dignity. As Ideye’s story shows, reputation alone is not enough. It is time to match legendary names with legendary management.
