Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side, Shooting Stars, have publicly declared two of their players, Victor Ehibe and Abubakar Adeyemi, as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). The club revealed this development in a statement issued by its media officer, Tosin Omojola, and expressed disappointment over the players' sudden disappearance.

The club emphasized its legal ownership of the players under their existing contracts and cautioned other clubs against engaging with them without due authorization.

Shooting Stars’ statement read:
“We wish to inform the public of the sudden disappearance of two of our players, Victor Ehibe and Abubakar Adeyemi. While Abubakar Adeyemi has not shown up for training for some time, Victor Ehibe recently left the club’s camp, packing all his belongings without any official notice.”

The club described the actions of the players as unprofessional and vowed to take necessary measures to protect its interests.

A Worrying Trend in Nigerian Football?

The situation with Shooting Stars brings to light a recurring challenge in Nigerian football—players abandoning their clubs without formal notice. Such occurrences not only disrupt the team's structure but also raise questions about contractual discipline and the professional culture within the league.

For Shooting Stars, who have been striving to maintain stability in a highly competitive NPFL season, the loss of two players in this manner could negatively affect team morale and performance.

Opinion: Professionalism and Mutual Respect Are Key

While the reasons behind the players’ actions remain unclear, incidents like this underscore the need for mutual respect between clubs and players. Clubs must ensure contracts are clear and transparent, while players should honor their commitments or seek amicable resolutions if disagreements arise.

Shooting Stars’ firm stance sends a clear message about upholding professional standards, but it also highlights the importance of fostering better communication and dispute resolution mechanisms within Nigerian football.

As fans and stakeholders, we can only hope that this situation is resolved amicably and serves as a wake-up call for all involved in the sport. What are your thoughts on the professional standards in the NPFL and how incidents like this should be handled?