Enyimba FC player Mujeeb Odufeso Babatunde has publicly appealed for N3.5 million to undergo knee surgery after suffering a serious injury he claims occurred while playing for the club. The footballer alleges that the club neglected his treatment, suspended him, and failed to adequately support his recovery despite being under contract until July 2027. Enyimba, through its media director Mazi Abraham Jaka, denied the allegations, insisting the injury was not sustained while playing for the club and that the player had been supported.
Player's Account of Injury and Neglect
Mujeeb, who hails from Ogun State but was born and raised in Lagos, spoke exclusively with Legit.ng about his ordeal. He said he joined Enyimba FC during the second half of the 2023/2024 season and was part of the squad that finished third in the NPFL and secured a continental ticket. The player said he suffered the injury during a home league match against Bendel Insurance in October 2025.
Explaining what happened, he said: "After the game, I felt pain in my knee, and we had another midweek away game against Ikorodu United. So I managed to play the away game with the leg." According to him, the situation worsened after he returned to Aba. "In training, I noticed I was unable to jog, even to walk well."
Mujeeb claimed that when he informed the coach about the problem, the reaction was far from sympathetic. "The coach asked me what happened and I told him I'm feeling a deep pain in my knee. He was furious at me when he heard that and was like I want to spoil his plan because we had a crucial game against Rivers United."
Medical Consultations and MRI Findings
The footballer said he initially received treatment from the club doctor but noticed no significant improvement. He later travelled to Umuahia to consult a physiotherapist who allegedly suspected an ACL injury and advised him to undergo an MRI scan. Mujeeb said the lack of MRI facilities in Aba forced him to seek permission from the team's manager before travelling to Lagos for further tests.
According to him, he paid N108,700 from his personal funds for the MRI examination. The results, he said, revealed a serious injury. "The result came out in three days, which says I had a nearly complete tear in my anterior cruciate ligament and a complex wound in my meniscus." Mujeeb claimed he forwarded the results to members of the club's management but did not receive any response.
He said a surgeon later informed him that surgery would be required if he wanted to continue his football career.
Player Alleges Suspension and Salary Issues
The Enyimba player further alleged that matters took another turn in January 2026. According to him, he was informed that he had been dropped and was later sent documents relating to the termination of his contract. He said he refused to sign. Mujeeb also claimed the club subsequently issued him an indefinite suspension letter without pay and declared him absent without official leave (AWOL).
The player provided copies of documents he said included a termination proposal and suspension letter. According to him, he later received only half his salary for part of the period and was not paid for some months, including July. Throughout the interview, Mujeeb maintained that the club failed to provide adequate support for his treatment and recovery.
Enyimba FC Denies Neglect Allegations
Legit.ng contacted Enyimba chairman and former Arsenal legend Kanu Nwankwo, team manager Sir (Dr) Okey Nwabeke, and chief of staff Ndaa Sam. None of them responded to enquiries. However, the club's media director, Mazi Abraham Jaka, responded and rejected Mujeeb's version of events.
According to Jaka, the player did not sustain the injury while playing for Enyimba. "Mujeeb Odufeso did not get that injury playing for Enyimba. He got it in a street game in Lagos." The media director also alleged that the player concealed the injury from the club. "He hid the injury and came back after Yema initially dropped him, and I was fully aware of this."
Jaka further disputed the player's claim that the injury resulted from the Bendel Insurance match. "The Insurance game he got injury didn't cause him this. He already had the injury before that game."
Club Claims Player Left Treatment Programme
The media director alleged that Mujeeb left Aba for an extended period and was still being paid while away from the team. "He left Aba, stayed for almost six months and only returned when the management started asking about him." According to Jaka, Enyimba had been treating the player before he chose to leave. "Despite that, the club was treating him very well and all of a sudden he left for Lagos again."
The club official also claimed the footballer abandoned the treatment programme arranged by the club and sought alternative treatment elsewhere. Jaka further alleged that Mujeeb later participated in activities critical of the club instead of rejoining the team when it resumed.
Competing Accounts Remain Unresolved
While Mujeeb insists Enyimba neglected him after he suffered a serious knee injury, the club maintains that the injury was not sustained while playing for Enyimba and that it had continued to support him. The footballer has continued his public appeal for N3.5 million to fund the surgery he says is necessary to revive his career. For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with both sides presenting sharply different versions of what happened.
