The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially imposed a suspension on Wikki Tourists’ defender Abubakar Aliyu, sidelining him for the upcoming match against Rivers United. Aliyu’s absence stems from accumulating five yellow cards this season, with the latest booking occurring during the 3-1 loss to Ikorodu City on Tuesday.
As a result, the Bauchi Elephants will be without the defender for their matchday 37 fixture scheduled for Sunday. The suspension has been enforced by the NPFL, which supported the decision made by center referee Joseph Ogabor, despite criticisms from the Wikki Tourists camp. The league body communicated the punishment to Wikki Tourists through a statement signed by Stanley Ike-Richard on behalf of the Chief Operating Officer, emphasizing that the referee holds full authority to apply the laws of the game during matches.