NFF Disciplinary Committee Upturns NLO’s Sanctions Against Cynosure FC
The Disciplinary Committee of Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) has set aside sanctions imposed by the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) against Cynosure Fc.
Rising from it’s meeting held on July,15, 2026 in which it looked into the protest lodged by Cynosure Fc against the decision of the NLO, the committee noted that the Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) decision against Cynosure FC was not based on any formal or informal complaint against the club.
According to the committee’s finding, the player, Orngudwem Raphael whom Osun United declared missing, was an original player of Abakaliki FC who later transferred to Solution FC, Awka, a Nigeria National League (NNL) Clubside, and played for the first half of the 2025/2026 season with the Solution FC.
It stated that the player, Orngudwem Raphael was duly discharged by Solution FC, Awka via a letter of release dated 20/01/2026 and was registered by Cynosure FC on 17/03/2026 after observing the mandatory 30 days off play period. (Documentary evidence sighted).
That the player, Ogbodo Valentine Chizoba was a former player of Cynosure FC who was given out on mutual agreement to Osun United FC, an NNL Club side.
That the player, Ogbodo Valentine Chizoba could not execute any binding contract with Osun United FC, after being registered by the club for the NNL 2025/2026 season.
He also didn’t play a single match for the club, his name appeared last on the Osun United Match Form on 14/02/2026 in the match between Osun United FC v. Godswill Akpabio FC.
That the player, Ogbodo Valentine Chizoba returned back to his parent club, Cynosure FC and registered after waiting for the mandatory 30 days off play period precisely 16/03/2026. (Documentary evidence sighted).
That the letter from Osun United FC dated 02/04/2026 declaring the player, Ogbodo Valentine Chizoba missing was never investigated by the NLO Office, noting that the failure to investigate the said letter is an abdication of duties on the part of the NLO.
That the evidence against Cynosure FC on illegal participation of professional players in a mature league is unsustainable. It is shrouded in doubt and therefore unreliable.
The committee based on the above findings, decided as follows:
( i)That the sanctions number 1 to 4 of the NLO Disciplinary Committee as contained in its decisions dated 19th May, 2026 is hereby set aside.
(ii) That the protest filed by Cynosure FC hereby succeeds.
(iii) That the above decisions are without prejudice to the right of appeal.
