Enyimba FC cuts ties with Brown Ideye and 21 other players

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Enyimba FC have announced the clubs decision to part ways with veteran Nigerian international forward, Brown Ideye, after tension between him and the club finally boiled over.

The People’s Elephants announced Ideye’s departure on Tuesday, alongside 21 other players. Ideye, who joined the Aba-based club with much fanfare, had been vocal in his accusations against Enyimba, alleging that he and other players were owed outstanding match bonuses from the previous season.

In reply via a public statement, the former NPFL champions disagreed with Ideye’s insinuation, accusing the player of being ungrateful.

“We paid you ₦1M salary, lodged you in five star ₦65k hotels, flew you by air for away games. And you repaid us by scoring just 5 goals.”

Enyimba’s mass clear-out is part of a strategic squad overhaul as Enyimba prepares for the 2025/26 NPFL season. The list of released players is extensive and includes other notable names besides Ideye. Super Eagles B goalkeeper Ani Ozoemenam, and midfielder Elijah Akanji, formerly of defunct MFM FC, are also among those shown the exit door.

The club’s statement mentioned that some of the players had already departed even before the end of last season, with others being deemed surplus to requirements.

Enyimba will kick off their campaign in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season with an away game against newly promoted Barau FC. This will be followed by home matches against Niger Tornadoes and Nasarawa United at Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Abia State.

This will be followed by home matches against Niger Tornadoes and Nasarawa United at Enyimba Stadium in Aba, Abia State.

Enyimba Departures:

– Imo Prince Ikemdinachi

– Musa Usman Babalolo

– Innocent Gabriel

– Nelson Michael

– Alade Muyiwa Balogun

– Nnachi Chidiebere

– Chisom Ejio

– Junior Lokosa

– Fatai Abdullahi

– Imo Obot Udo

– Umeh Gozie

– Olufemi Opeoluwa

– Somiari Orinate Alalibo

– Chidera Eze

– Ukadiike Chiemerie Divine

– Augustine Onyemaechi

– Gideon Peter

– Tobias Orkuma

– Leonard Obinna

– Brown Ideye

– Ani Ozoemena

– Elijah Akanni

Players on Loan

– Obichere Wisdom Odinaka

– Purpose Ahubaraezemma

– Samuel Buah Nuako

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