Enyimba Overhaul Squad With Departure Of Brown Ideye And 21 Others Ahead Of NPFL Season.
Enyimba International FC, Nigeria’s most decorated football club, have announced the departure of 22 players, including former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye, as part of a major squad overhaul ahead of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season. The Aba-based club, known as the People’s Elephant, confirmed the mass exodus in an official statement on 18 August 2025, expressing gratitude for the players’ contributions and wishing them success in their future endeavours.
The list of departing players features prominent names such as Junior Lokosa, a high-profile forward, alongside defensive stalwart Somiari Alalibo, goalkeeper Ani Ozoemena, and attacker Elijah Akanni. Other players leaving include Imo Prince Ikemdinachi, Musa Usman Babalolo, Innocent Gabriel, Nelson Michael, Alade Muyiwa Balogun, and Fatai Abdullahi, among others. Additionally, three players—Obichere Wisdom Odinaka, Purpose Ahubaraezemma, and Samuel Buah Nuako—have been loaned out to other clubs. The sweeping clear-out follows a disappointing 2024/25 season, where Enyimba finished sixth, 16 points behind champions Remo Stars, and exited early from the CAF Confederation Cup.
Ideye, who returned to the NPFL after a 17-year stint in Europe with clubs like Dynamo Kyiv and West Bromwich Albion, scored five goals in 13 appearances during his six-month spell with Enyimba. The 36-year-old, a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner, announced his exit on social media, thanking the club’s chairman, staff, teammates, and fans. “It’s been an honour to wear the jersey and play for one of the biggest and best football clubs in Nigeria and Africa,” he wrote. However, Ideye sparked controversy by criticising the NPFL’s standards, alleging poor player welfare at Enyimba, including daily allowances as low as ₦7,000 and irregular match bonuses paid only at season’s end. The club refuted these claims, asserting that Ideye received a ₦1 million monthly salary, luxury accommodation, and air travel for away matches, while accusing him of underperforming with just five goals across all competitions.
The NPFL board responded to Ideye’s allegations by summoning Enyimba’s management to explain the claims, with chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye emphasising the importance of player welfare to the league’s integrity. Enyimba’s sporting director, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, defended the club, stating that their bonus structure, which includes double win bonuses and personal incentives, is transparent and embedded in player contracts. The club also expressed disappointment at Ideye’s public criticism, urging him to adhere to their code of conduct.
Despite the off-field drama, Enyimba are focused on rebuilding under head coach Stanley Eguma, who has stressed the need for continued effort following recent successes. The club, with nine NPFL titles and two CAF Champions League crowns, will kick off their title defence on 22 August 2025 with an away match against newcomers Barau FC, followed by home fixtures against Niger Tornadoes and Nasarawa United in Aba. New signings are expected to be announced soon as Eguma aims to restore Enyimba’s dominance in Nigerian and continental football.
Fans and analysts see the overhaul as a bold move to address last season’s shortcomings, with local supporter Chidi Okonkwo expressing optimism: “This is a fresh start for Enyimba. With new players and Eguma’s leadership, we can challenge for the title.” The departures have already attracted interest from rival NPFL clubs, with several players spotted at pre-season camps across the country, signalling a competitive transfer market.
As Enyimba prepare for the new season, the club’s management has called for unity and support from fans, reaffirming their commitment to professionalism and success. The People’s Elephant aim to leverage their storied legacy to reclaim their place at the pinnacle of Nigerian football.
