By CN-Sports
Football fans and industry stakeholders have urged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to deliver a fair verdict regarding the case involving Kebbi United and Yobe Desert Stars.
They insisted that justice must be served to support the game's growth and development.
Their demand followed a petition by Kebbi United FC challenging the NFF Disciplinary Committee’s decision on Match No. 33, Match Day 9, between these teams.
In a petition dated April 4, 2026, obtained by this medium, Kebbi United argued that deducting three points from their record was unfair, based on the Committee’s conclusion that player Dawud Ib Rahim lacked a valid license during the match.
Kebbi United highlighted that this conclusion conflicts with the statement from Naomi Nyiker Uza, the NNL Registration Desk Officer, who, in a WhatsApp chat with the Match Commissioner, confirmed that the player was duly registered and eligible to play.
"In the chat, the Desk Officer confirmed that Dawud Ibrahim was registered and eligible to play the said match; only his license was omitted," the petition states.
Despite this, the NFF Disciplinary Committee, after its meeting on March 30, 2026, ruled that Kebbi United would forfeit 3 points and 3 goals to Yobe Desert Stars FC for fielding an unlicensed player.
The Committee also imposed a fine of one million Naira (N1,000,000) on Kebbi United.
Stakeholders across the country, in their statements, stressed the importance of verifying Kebbi United’s claims, especially concerning the chat exchange between the Match Commissioner and the Desk Officer.
They expressed hope for justice, praising the NFF and its organs for their focus and diligent work.