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Tag: Sunday Abe

  • Players’ union hails NPFL over fair hearing for goalkeeper Adeyinka

    Players’ union hails NPFL over fair hearing for goalkeeper Adeyinka

    The President of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF), Sunday Abe, has commended the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for lifting the suspension on goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka.

    Abe expressed appreciation to the NPFL for granting the Plateau United FC goalkeeper a fair hearing after his provisional suspension in July over allegations of involvement in betting.

    The NPFL announced on Thursday that Adeyinka is now free to register with any club of his choice for the 2025/2026 season, pending further investigation into the allegations.

    Abe, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described the NPFL’s decision as a “progressive step” and praised the league’s willingness to engage with the players’ union.

    “We are pleased that the NPFL granted our member, Adewale Adeyinka, the opportunity for a fair hearing and did not allow unproven allegations to truncate his professional career,” Abe said.

    He lauded the NPFL for its professional conduct during the inquest and reiterated NANPF’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian footballers.

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    “As a union, we will continue to ensure due process is followed and that no player suffers unjustly. We thank the NPFL for listening to our position on this matter.”

    Abe also urged players to remain disciplined and cooperative when engaging with regulatory bodies, while assuring members of NANPF’s readiness to provide legal and moral support when needed.

    The NPFL, in a statement signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, said Adeyinka honoured its invitation and cooperated fully with investigators.

    It added that while the goalkeeper had been cleared to resume his career, investigations into the broader matter are ongoing, and others would be invited in due course.

    The NPFL stressed its commitment to upholding integrity in Nigerian football while ensuring that all disciplinary processes are carried out fairly and transparently.

    (NAN) 

  • NPFL legend Sunday Abe retires from football

    NPFL legend Sunday Abe retires from football

    Sunshine Stars defender and captain, Sunday Abe, has announced his retirement from professional football.

    The 33-year-old defender announced his retirement in a statement on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo State.

    The statement reads in part: “After thoughtful consideration, I’m announcing my immediate retirement from professional football after about two decades of active service as a player.

    “I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have played the most of my career as captain of my boyhood club; Sunshine Stars FC of Akure, while I won’t also forget the stint with Teuta Durres FC of Albania.

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    “It is also an honour to have represented Nigeria, playing the U-17 AFCON and World Cup qualifiers as well as the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt before graduating to the national U-23 team and the Home-Based Super Eagles in 2010.”

    The player, who already possessed two coaching certificates, also said he is prepared for more involvement in football off the field.

    “No matter the circumstances, football is still part of me. In the last years of my active days, I have been preparing for bigger roles in the backroom as well as the boardroom and I will be ever ready to give everything off the field,” Abe stated.

    Abe who made his NPFL debut in 2006 has featured in 17 seasons in the NPFL and has since then been sensational.

    In 2007, he was a key member of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets squad during the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and World Cup qualifiers.

    Unfortunately, an injury sidelined him from participating in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea, where Nigeria ultimately triumphed under the late coach Yemi Tella.

    Two years later, in 2009, Abe joined the Flying Eagles team that competed at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

    He played alongside notable talents such as Odion Ighalo, Obiora Nwankwo, Dele Ajiboye, King Osanga, and Rabiu Ibrahim, showcasing his skills on the global stage.

    In 2010, Abe received a call-up to the home-based Super Eagles squad under the late coach Shuaibu Amodu, further cementing his reputation as a promising player.

    By 2013, Abe became the captain of Sunshine Stars, leading the team with distinction over 17 seasons in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

    His leadership and experience were vital to the club, culminating in his final appearance, a 1-0 away victory against Doma United on June 19, which secured their top-flight status for another season.