Bendel Insurance Football Club has declared goalkeeper Joshua Baba absent without official leave. This decision follows his failure to return to the club after the expiration of an approved recovery leave. Baba was granted a two-week leave to recover from an injury sustained during a match against Warri Wolves on August 30, 2026. He was expected to resume training in mid-September 2026 but has not reported back to the club.
According to the club's Director of Media and Communications, Kehinde Osagiede, Baba was last seen shortly after the commencement of the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season. The club has made repeated efforts to establish contact with Baba and ascertain his whereabouts, but these efforts have been unsuccessful. The Head Coach and Team Manager have confirmed that Baba has neither returned to duty nor obtained any authorization to extend his absence.
The club management views Baba's continued absence without authorization as a grave disciplinary issue. They consider his conduct unacceptable and falling short of the standards of professionalism, discipline, commitment, and responsibility expected of every player representing Bendel Insurance FC. The management has warned that any club or organization dealing with Baba is doing so at its own risk.
Baba remains under a valid contractual agreement with Bendel Insurance FC until the end of 2027 and is therefore bound by the obligations contained in his contract and the applicable regulations governing professional football in Nigeria. The club will take all necessary disciplinary and administrative measures against Baba in accordance with his contractual obligations and the applicable rules and regulations of the Nigeria Premier Football League and the Nigeria Football Federation.
The Bendel Insurance management has formally brought the matter to the attention of the Nigeria Premier Football League and the Nigeria Football Federation. They have requested that these organizations take due note of Baba's status and the circumstances surrounding his unauthorized absence. The club remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, and accountability among its players and officials.
The incident has raised concerns about the commitment and responsibility of players in the Nigeria Premier Football League. It highlights the need for clubs to enforce disciplinary measures and ensure that players adhere to their contractual obligations. The league's governing bodies will likely be monitoring the situation closely to ensure that the necessary actions are taken.
The declaration of Baba as AWOL may have implications for his future in the league. If he fails to report back to the club or resolve the issue, he may face severe consequences, including potential bans or fines. The situation will likely be closely watched by football fans and stakeholders in Nigeria, who will be interested in seeing how the matter unfolds.
Key points
- Bendel Insurance FC has declared goalkeeper Joshua Baba absent without official leave due to his failure to return to the club after the expiration of his recovery leave.
- The club has warned that any organization dealing with Baba is doing so at its own risk and will take disciplinary measures against him.
- The incident highlights the need for clubs to enforce disciplinary measures and ensure that players adhere to their contractual obligations.
