iDeemlawfulNigerian football legend Nwankwo Kanu has been drawn into a major financial dispute after the Abia State Government formally requested a comprehensive account of the $1 million (about ₦1.5 billion) Enyimba FC earned from the maiden African Football League (AFL).
The inquiry represents the most significant test yet for Kanu, widely known as Papilo, since assuming the role of chairman of the Aba-based club. It also underscores growing tension between Enyimba’s leadership and the administration of Governor Alex Otti over control, transparency and the club’s future.
Enyimba, Nigeria’s only representative in the 2023 AFL, secured the $1 million prize after advancing to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Concerns have reportedly surfaced following internal assessments and government reviews indicating that the funds have not resulted in noticeable infrastructure improvements, youth development initiatives or better welfare for players.
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Consequently, the Abia State Government has officially summoned Enyimba’s board to provide a detailed explanation of how the AFL proceeds were managed.
According to reports, the investigation will concentrate on three major areas:
Prize Money Breakdown: Determining the exact sum received after CAF deductions and administrative expenses.
Player Welfare: Addressing grievances from Enyimba players over unpaid or irregular salary arrears, despite claims that the state provided special intervention funds.
Operational Expenditure: A detailed account of how the AFL funds were spent during a period when the club reportedly faced challenges with logistics, travel and basic operations.
The financial probe is unfolding amid a wider crisis at the club. In a move seen as curtailing Kanu’s authority, the Abia State Government recently appointed Deutsch Detchoua Gustave Emmanuel as Enyimba’s new head coach, replacing the previous manager after only three matches.
The decision, taken without consultation with the club’s board, has been widely viewed as a clear sign of a breakdown in trust between the government and the Papilo-led management.
Since taking over from long-serving chairman Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Kanu has come under increasing criticism over what opponents describe as absentee leadership and Enyimba’s declining on-field results.
Although the former Arsenal and Super Eagles star has defended his tenure by citing youth-team reforms and ongoing stadium upgrades, unresolved questions surrounding the AFL funds have heightened scrutiny.
With the Abia State Government now seeking a financial “play-by-play” of the $1 million CAF payout, Kanu faces a defining moment that will test whether his legendary playing career can translate into transparency, accountability and effective leadership in the boardroom.