NPFL suspends Boboye’s 17-game ban

… clears Insurance coach for new season

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has suspended the remaining portion of Bendel Insurance head coach Kennedy Boboye’s 17-game touchline ban, clearing him to return to the dugout ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Boboye was handed the ban in March after he was alleged to have assaulted match officials following Bendel Insurance’s Matchday 32 clash against Plateau United last season.

Although the coach denied any wrongdoing, he served six matches of the suspension during the closing stages of the 2025/26 campaign.

The NPFL Board reviewed the sanction following a letter of apology and an appeal for leniency from Bendel Insurance.

In its response to the club, the league body said Boboye’s conduct since the sanction was imposed had influenced its decision to suspend the remaining period of the ban.

“Your good conduct in the intervening period of the sanction has been taken into consideration and counted as a positive for you,” the letter read.

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The Board also cited Boboye’s previous contributions to Nigerian football.

“Your past service to the country as a player and a technical member of the national team is also being recognised in reviewing the case.”

While suspending the remaining portion of the sanction, the NPFL warned Boboye that the punishment would be reinstated if he commits a similar offence during the next season.

“The Board has therefore elected to suspend the rest of the remaining period of your sanction. However, the punishment will be served out should you be involved in similar conduct in the next one season,” the letter stated.

The league body also urged the coach to maintain exemplary conduct in his role.

“You are expected to be of exemplary behaviour in your role as a coach of an NPFL club, as players and junior coaches view you as a role model.”

The decision means Boboye will be on the Bendel Insurance bench when the Benin Arsenal begin their 2026/27 campaign against Warri Wolves in Benin on Sunday, August 30.

His return comes after he missed the final six matches of last season while serving the suspension.

Boboye was appointed Bendel Insurance head coach in October 2025 and guided the club to fifth place in the 2025/26 NPFL season.

The Benin-based side missed out on a continental qualification spot by four points.

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