Bendel Insurance coach, Boboye gets NPFL reprieve after reduced ban

Posted : 13 August 2026

Bendel Insurance head coach Kennedy Boboye has been handed a major reprieve by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), with the league suspending the remaining portion of his disciplinary sanction and clearing him to return to the technical area.

The decision followed a review of the club’s appeal, Boboye’s written apology and plea for leniency, his conduct throughout the period of his suspension, as well as his contributions to Nigerian football as a former player and member of the national team’s technical setup.

In a letter dated August 10, 2026 and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, the league confirmed that the outstanding portion of Boboye’s suspension had been suspended.

However, the NPFL warned that the suspended sanction would be restored if the coach commits and is found guilty of similar misconduct during the 2026/27 season.

The decision means Boboye will be available to lead Bendel Insurance from the bench when the new NPFL campaign gets underway. The Benin Arsenal are scheduled to open their season at home against Warri Wolves on Sunday, August 30.

Boboye’s original punishment stemmed from Bendel Insurance’s 2-2 home draw against Plateau United at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on March 28, 2026.

Following the incident, Boboye was found guilty of gross misconduct towards a match official and was initially suspended for 17 matches and fined ₦2 million.

The club was also hit with a ₦5 million fine and ordered to play three subsequent home fixtures behind closed doors following breaches linked to the incident. The violations included crowd-related issues and inadequate security that reportedly allowed unauthorised individuals access to restricted areas.

Boboye had maintained his innocence after the initial punishment and released video evidence which he said contradicted aspects of the reported incident. Bendel Insurance also condemned the development and apologised to the NPFL and the Nigeria Referees Association.

While granting the reprieve, the league stressed that Boboye must uphold the standards expected of a senior coach and serve as a positive example to players and younger members of the coaching profession.

The decision has been welcomed by the Bendel Insurance family, with the club expressing appreciation to the NPFL and its Disciplinary Committee for what it described as a fair and favourable outcome.

Boboye’s return is expected to provide Bendel Insurance with a significant boost as the club prepares for the demands of the 2026/27 NPFL season.

Bendel Insurance coach, Boboye gets NPFL reprieve after reduced ban

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