Indebtedness To Former Players: NNL Slams Gombe Utd, Wikki Tourists & Dakkada FC With Transfer Bans
_…NPFL Enters Day 11 With 2 Games On Saturday_
By: Chinedum Ohanusi
Three clubs, in the nation’s second tier football league, the Nigeria National League (NNL); that’s Gombe United, Wikki Tourists and Dakkada FC have all been slammed with transfer bans, for their failure to defray their indebtedness to their former play
The sanctions, were spelt out to the clubs, in a letter dated November 7 2024, and signed by Dr Ayo AbdulRahman, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the league body.
The NNL letter sighted by Sports Day, made it clear to the three erring clubs that, they won’t be allowed to register new players for the 2024/2025 season, unless they are able to fully settle their indebtedness to their former players, as upheld by an arbitration panel.
According to the NNL, the order is merely complying with the ruling of the Players Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) that all indebted clubs under the jurisdiction of the NNL must defray all their overdue before they would be allowed to register or field new players in their matches.
“The clubs named therein shall not be permitted to register new players in the ongoing window of the Nigeria National League until they have fully ensured strict compliance of Article 12bi, paragraph 5 of the FIFA regulations on the status and transfer of players.” the letter inked by Dr. AbdulRahman, read in part.
Meanwhile, the Secretary Player Status and Arbitration Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, Tuale Ajuyah has further explained that Dakkada FC are indebted to Otene Johnson and 22 others the sum of N27,850,000.
Gombe United owes Yarmalight FC N1,500,000 while Wikki Tourists owe Abdullahi Abdul and Chukwude Stephen N2,000,000 and N2,500,000 respectively.
Elsewhere, there are only two Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) fixtures on Saturday’s card, for Matchday 11 of the 2024/25 season.
Daniel Amokachi’s Lobi Stars will look to jump start their horrific season, when hosting Abia Warriors of Umuahia, at their adopted home ground, the Lafia City Stadium; whilst yo-yo club, Bendel Insurance and Kano Pillars are to be locked in a potentially explosive duel, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.
The remaining eight Day 11 fixtures are scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday), with the encounter in Aba, between record nine-time champions Enyimba FC, and table topping Remo Stars of Ikenne, topping them all.
Remo Stars are seated at the summit of the NPFL log, by virtue of having scored more goals, as they are tied with Rivers United on points (21), and goals difference; while Enyimba are in the third spot with 18 points gannered from 10 games.
*Sunday’s Other Fixtures (NPFL)*
Heartland Vs Sunshine Stars 4 pm.
Katsina United Vs Ikorodu City 4 pm.
Niger Tornadoes Vs Akwa United 4 pm.
Rivers United Vs Bayelsa United 4 pm.
Plateau United Vs Enugu Rangers 4 pm.
Nasarawa United Vs Kwara United 4 pm.
Shooting Stars Vs El-Kanemi Warriors
5:30 pm.
