Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin Football Club has reaffirmed its position over the protest arising from its Nigeria National League (NNL) Matchday Six encounter against Kada Warriors, following the alleged use of an ineligible player.
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At the centre of the dispute is Aliyu (Kabiru) Ferinyaro, a former captain of ABS Ilorin FC, whom the club insists remains under a valid and subsisting contract.
ABS FC alleges that Ferinyaro absconded from the club and was subsequently registered by Kada Warriors without obtaining the mandatory clearance, in clear violation of established transfer and registration regulations.
According to ABS Ilorin FC, the issue was formally raised before kickoff, with match officials and relevant authorities duly informed of the player’s contractual status.
Despite this prior notice, Kada Warriors reportedly proceeded to field the player, a decision ABS FC describes as a blatant disregard for due process and the rules governing player eligibility.
The Ilorin-based club has framed the incident as a critical test of integrity for both the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), noting that football governing bodies across the world have consistently imposed sanctions on clubs and national teams for fielding ineligible players.
ABS FC cited the recent sanction imposed on South Africa for a similar offence during a FIFA World Cup qualifying match as a relevant precedent.
ABS Ilorin FC has challenged Kada Warriors to publicly clarify how a player still under contract with another club was registered and fielded.
The club insists that the burden of proof lies with Kada Warriors to present valid and verifiable documentation showing that due process was followed in securing the player’s services.
“ABS Ilorin Football Club believes in the rule of law and the sanctity of contracts,” the club stated. “Aliyu Ferinyaro captained this club and remains under contract. Until due process is followed, he remains an ABS Ilorin FC player.”
The club expressed confidence in the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Football Federation to handle the matter fairly, decisively, and transparently.
ABS FC emphasized that the outcome of the case goes beyond the result of a single fixture, as it will set an important precedent for fairness, professionalism, and respect for contractual obligations in Nigerian football.
For ABS Ilorin FC, the protest, the club concluded, is not merely about points, but about safeguarding the integrity of the game.
 Ilorin Football Club has reaffirmed its position over the protest arising from its Nigeria National League){kind=link}