Lobi Stars, Akwa United, Heartland FC, Sunshine Stars and Gombe United are racing against time to settle outstanding debts to players ahead of the October 24 registration deadline for the 2025/2026 Nigeria National League (NNL) season.
Sports247 exclusively reports that the clubs remain under transfer bans imposed by the NFF Players’ Status Arbitration Committee (NFF-PSAC) until all arrears are cleared.
In a letter dated September 9, 2025, signed by NNL Chief Operating Officer Danlami Alalana, the league body directed all indebted clubs to fulfil financial obligations as ordered by the NFF-PSAC before being cleared to register players for the new season.
Failure to comply means the affected clubs will be unable to register or field new players, potentially jeopardizing their preparations for the campaign set to kick off in November 2025.
“Affected clubs will not be permitted to register new players with the NNL. Any registration made before clearing outstanding debts remains invalid,” a source within the NNL confirmed to Sports247.
An NFF PSAC source added:
“We will ensure that the committee decision is compiled with, these clubs were notified of these decisions since April 2025. I have personally spoken with some of these clubs management to sort these debts as soon as possible because there would be no waiver of any kind.” The source said in anonimity.
Recall, the NNL recently unveiled the registration timeline, with the portal opening on October 6 and closing October 24. Clubs are required to submit:
Transfer Matching System (TMS) certificates for all players
Valid medical and insurance certificates for players and officials
Proof of compliance with NFF and NNL registration modalities
COO Danlami Alalana reaffirmed the league’s commitment to enforcing deadlines, saying:
“We are determined to stick to our programme and will not entertain delays. Clubs must adhere strictly to the October 24 deadline.”
With less than three weeks to go, Lobi Stars, Akwa United, Heartland, Sunshine Stars, Gombe United must act swiftly to avoid missing out on squad reinforcements ahead of the new NNL season.
