Kada Warriors, ABS FC in Ownership Dispute Over Kabiru Feyinyaro

A dispute has erupted between Kada Warriors FC and ABS Ilorin FC over the ownership rights of player Kabiru Feyinyaro, with both clubs now awaiting a final decision from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The controversy stems from conflicting claims over Feyinyaro’s registration — with Kada Warriors asserting they hold legitimate documentation, while ABS FC insists the player was improperly fielded by their opponent in the Nigeria National League (NNL). ABS has lodged a formal protest and demanded sanctions if the federation rules in their favour.

Both clubs have submitted evidence to the NFF’s disciplinary and competitions committees, which are expected to review the matter and issue a verdict that could impact league standings and player eligibility. The situation has drawn significant attention from supporters and officials alike as the federation deliberates on the appropriate resolution.

Editorial

Disputes over player ownership and eligibility are among the most thorny issues in football’s administrative corridors not because they involve flashpoints on the pitch, but because they reveal the very architecture of governance that underpins the sport’s integrity.

The clash between Kada Warriors and ABS FC over Kabiru Feyinyaro’s status is emblematic of this. When two clubs stake conflicting claims over one player’s registration, it isn’t merely a bureaucratic disagreement it is a moment that tests the credibility of competition structures, the clarity of regulations, and the confidence clubs place in the governing body that oversees them.

Football thrives on certainty fans expect fair contests, coaches depend on reliable selections, and players need security in their careers. Eligibility and ownership rules exist precisely to protect those pillars. When ambiguity arises whether due to documentation lapses, transfer timing, or interpretive differences the sport’s administrators must act not simply as referees of fact, but as guardians of trust. The NFF’s forthcoming verdict will not only determine where Kabiru Feyinyaro plays, but how Nigerian football enforces accountability and equity.

There is also a broader lesson here about the importance of transparent registration procedures, meticulous record-keeping, and timely communication between clubs and federations especially in leagues like the NNL, where resources and administrative capacity can vary widely. A clear, fair, and timely resolution would demonstrate that Nigerian football is capable of handling its internal disputes with professionalism and seriousness.

In the end, football’s essence lies in competition — but that competition must be legitimate and uncontested. The resolution of this case will be a measure not just of rule enforcement, but of the confidence clubs, players and fans can place in Nigeria’s football institutions.

Did You Know?

1. Disputes over player eligibility and registration are governed by specific NFF rules, which require clear documentation and adherence to transfer windows and registration processes for all players.
2. The NNL protests like the one lodged by ABS FC must be submitted with formal evidence to the NFF Disciplinary and Competitions Committees, which review and decide on breaches of regulations.
3. Eligible clubs have the right to appeal NFF decisions within a specified timeframe, though appeals may require fees and can carry further sanctions if deemed frivolous.
4. Player registration disputes, when upheld, can result in match forfeitures, points deductions or fines, depending on the severity of the infraction and the governing regulations.
5. Such disputes are not unusual in domestic leagues in the NPFL, past eligibility controversies have led to clubs being sanctioned for fielding unregistered or improperly cleared players.