Exclusive: Two Nigerian Players Return To NPFL As Their Euro Club Serve Suspension

Isah Ndala, a midfielder, is understood to be on his way back to his former NPFL side, Plateau United, following the six-month suspension slammed on his Armenian Premier League club, FC Sevan, by the Armenia Football Federation, Completesports.com reports.

Ndala is one of three former Plateau United players who joined the Armenian club in 2021. Others are Bernard Ovoke and Ibrahim Abubakar.

On December 1, 2021, the Disciplinary Committee of Armenia Football Federation unanimously voted in favour of a decision to throw FC Sevan out of their top flight league for six months Ty, for failing to honour two league games against Alashkert FC and BKMA Yerevan.

The sanction meant the players had to seek career fortunes elsewhere.

While Ibrahim Abubakar has reportedly secured an undisclosed club there in Armenia, Ndala and Ovoke opted to return to the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL.

Completesports.com checks reveal that Ndala is set to rejoin his former club, Plateau United as Manager Fidelis Ilechukwu looks to bolster the Tin City side’s squad in the coming NPFL midseason transfer window.

Ovoke’s destination is not yet clear but there are speculations that he may reunite with his boyhood club, Rivers United coached by Stanley Eguma.

Ndala’s likely return to Plateau United is already generating excitement in the Jos side.

“Nothing is yet cast in stone. I mean, it’s not yet a done deal, but we’ve made significant progress,” an official of Plateau United told Completesports.com as they prepared to a trip for their Northern derby against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi.

“Plateau United have won all their last three games, including the famous triumph at Enugu Rangers, their first win on the road so far in the campaign.”

The official added: “Yes, Ovoke was our player before his move to Armenia. We would like to have him back too, but at the moment, we can’t place a finger on his whereabouts in the country or what his plans are.

“As for (Ibrahim) Abubakar, we understand he has teamed up with another club in Armenia.

“With Ndala back in our midfield, coupled with other players who have shown interest in joining us, I believe we can challenge for the top three positions at the end of the season”, the official concluded.

Although the Plateau United official refused to disclose the identities of the other players in their midseason recruitment wish list, Completesports.com understands that one of them is a striker now with one of top clubs in the NPFL based in the Eastern part of Nigeria.

“You don’t expect me to tell you their names when they are still under contract with their clubs,” the Plateau United official said.