Management at Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) outfit Bendel Insurance Football Club has officially declared goalkeeper Joshua Baba Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). The decisive action follows the player’s total failure to report back to duty upon the completion of an authorized medical recovery leave granted by the club.
Baba was last involved in team activities shortly after the start of the 2026/27 NPFL season on August 30, 2026. During the club’s fixture against Warri Wolves in Benin City, the shot-stopper sustained a physical knock, prompting medical personnel to recommend a temporary layoff to facilitate recovery.
Following medical evaluation, club officials granted the goalkeeper a two-week recovery leave. Baba subsequently traveled home to Plateau State to spend time with family while completing his recuperation process. He was formally scheduled to return to the team’s training facilities in Benin City by mid-September 2026 to resume full duty.
Despite the official expiration of his authorized leave period, Baba has refused to return to camp or communicate his whereabouts to management. The club verified that the player failed to seek or receive any official administrative extension regarding his absence.
The club’s management, alongside the Head Coach and Team Manager, confirmed that exhaustive attempts were made to establish direct communication with the player. However, all private outreach efforts have yielded no positive response, leaving the club leadership with no alternative option but to enforce internal regulatory sanctions.
Bendel Insurance FC clarified that Joshua Baba remains bound to the club under a legally valid employment contract running until the end of 2027. Consequently, his continued refusal to perform contractual duties constitutes a severe breach of professional rules governing professional football in Nigeria.
Expressing deep disappointment over the incident, club leadership labeled the goalkeeper’s actions unacceptable and contrary to the core values of discipline, professionalism, and accountability expected of all players representing the Benin-based side. Management reaffirmed that strict disciplinary and administrative proceedings will be launched immediately.
To protect its legal interests, Bendel Insurance FC has formally submitted an official report regarding the matter to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The club requested that both governing bodies document Baba’s unauthorized absence to prevent potential regulatory conflicts or illegal transfers.
By: Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
