Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze recounts how he almost slapped an NFF member

Former Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze has revealed that he nearly slapped a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) during a dispute over an unpaid match bonus. According to Udeze, the incident occurred after a match in which players were expecting to receive the full bonus that had been promised to them.

Speaking during an episode of The 5th House podcast shared on X, the former defender recounted how an NFF official attempted to pay only part of the agreed amount. “Seriously, no joke, in 2003/2004, I almost slapped an NFF member,” Udeze said.

Explaining what led to the confrontation, he added: “After we won a game; they were supposed to pay us $5,000 each. He went to JayJay’s room, went to Kanu’s room, saying he wants to pay $2,500 first, then later when we come back again to the national team, he will pay the balance.”

“JayJay and Kanu told him first go to Udeze’s room. He came and just gave me pen to sign; it looked as though my late father just woke me, and say ‘look at the money.’ I asked him ‘what happened? complete the money.’ He said there’s no money, next time we’ll complete the money. I said go and meet the captain, talk to them, nobody has signed here, I am not supposed to be the first person to sign here.”