Enyimba FC, the nine-time Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, have announced a major shake-up to their squad ahead of the 2025/2026 season. The club has released 22 players, with former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye being the most notable name on the list.
Ideye’s departure comes weeks after he publicly criticized the club over player welfare issues. The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner alleged that Enyimba owed outstanding match bonuses and provided inadequate funds for meals during away matches, in addition to using road transport for long trips.
In a post on 𝕏, Ideye wrote, “Because I get money, I should not ask for the one I worked for? Please pay me and the players last season’s match bonuses. @EnyimbaFC, the season ended in May; till now, nothing.”
The full list of departing players includes:
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
Several of these players have already been seen with rival clubs, with captain Somiari Alalibo and defender Imo Obot among those expected to sign with new teams before the start of the season.
In addition, Enyimba has loaned three young players—Obichere Wisdom Odinaka, Purpose Ahubaraezemma, and Samuel Buah Nuako—to newly promoted Kun Khalifat FC.
Enyimba FC will begin their 2025/2026 NPFL campaign on August 24 with an away match against Barau FC in Kano. The team will then return home to host Niger Tornadoes and Nasarawa United.
