By Sunday Agunbiade
Sporting Director, Enyimba Football Club, Ifeanyi Ekwueme has warned former Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye to stop misleading members of the public against the club and advised him to read contractual agreement and code of conduct on payment of allowances and other sundry payments.
Ekwueme, who was one time Super Eagles forward described Ideye’s allegations as unfounded claiming that there are other sundry allowances that the club do pay its players at the end of season.
It would be recalled that Enyimba FC had earlier issued a strong rebuttal to former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye’s allegations, and termed it a deliberate attempt to tarnish the club’s reputation. The club expressed disappointment that a former Nigerian international, who was welcomed back home with open arms, has chosen to malign the very system that embraced him.
In a statement released on Friday evening, Enyimba FC defended their treatment of Ideye during his brief tenure at the club. The club highlighted that Ideye received VIP privileges, including a monthly salary of ₦1 million, luxury hotel accommodation costing ₦65,000 per night, air travel to away matches, and personal respect befitting his status as a top-level.
According to former Heartland FC Sporting Director and Tico Sports Wears, he said :” There are some allowances and payments we usually give our players at the end of every season so as not to leave them emty handed after the campaigns. In fact, these are already embedded in their contractual agreement and code of conduct. Said the astute football admistrator .
Enyimba also addressed Ideye’s performance on the field, stating that he scored only five goals across all competitions, and his overall impact fell short of what was anticipated. The club further accused Ideye of being a divisive influence in the dressing room, undermining team cohesion and progress.
Regarding Ideye’s claims about poor player welfare, Enyimba FC refuted these allegations, asserting that he never raised these issues while collecting VIP wages and privileges. The club emphasized their transparent bonus structure under the leadership of Nwankwo Kanu, which includes double win bonuses and personal incentives from management—sometimes as high as ₦1 million. Quoting Ekwueme’s claims he said: ” few bonuses had been paid before the end of season, few league and continental bonuses have also been paid before the end of season.”
Enyimba FC concluded their statement by reaffirming their commitment to professionalism and the growth of Nigerian football. The club expressed regret over the incident but assured fans, stakeholders, and the NPFL family that they remain dedicated to the principles of integrity and gratitude.
Enyimba FC is Nigeria’s most successful football club, having won two African Champions League titles and nine Nigerian championships.
The club is currently managed by Stanley Eguma, with Nwankwo Kanu serving as the chairman.
Enyimba FC’s home ground is the Enyimba International Stadium located in Aba, Abia State.
The club’s nickname, “People’s Elephant,” reflects their status as a symbol of pride for the people of Aba.
Enyimba FC’s commitment to player welfare includes a transparent bonus structure and personal incentives from management.
