Points deduction and a player's absence for three weeks.. Two crises hit Warri Wolves in the Nigerian League

Point tally deduction and losing the services of an important player for three weeks

Africa Today at 09:31

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Points deduction and a player's absence for three weeks.. Two crises hit Warri Wolves in the Nigerian League

Warri Wolves have declared player Ezegbu Divine Justice absent without official leave after three weeks without contact adding another concern to a difficult period marked by heavy disciplinary sanctions in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The Nigerian club confirmed the development on Friday 30 October revealing that Justice had failed to report to camp or communicate with management.

According to Daily Post Nigeria, the player's whereabouts remain unknown to the club, which has issued a public appeal for information.

Warri Wolves seek answers over Ezegbu Divine Justice's absence

Warri Wolves revealed that Justice has been away from the team's camp for approximately three weeks without obtaining official permission.

The Seasiders have instructed the player to return immediately and explain the circumstances surrounding his unexplained absence.

The club also appealed to anyone with credible information about his whereabouts to contact its management through official communication channels.

However, Warri Wolves have not publicly established the reasons for his absence or confirmed whether disciplinary proceedings against the player have begun.

The situation creates uncertainty over his immediate availability as the club prepares for another important league fixture.

Three point deduction and ₦4.25m fine deepen Warri Wolves crisis

Justice's absence comes days after Warri Wolves received significant sanctions from the NPFL following their goalless draw against Kano Pillars on 25 October.

The disciplinary measures followed an incident involving a supporter who allegedly assaulted match officials after the final whistle at the Southern Delta University Stadium in Ozoro.

According to the league's findings, the second assistant referee suffered a nose injury during the incident.

As reported by Premium Times, the NPFL imposed several penalties on Warri Wolves:

A total fine of **₦4.25 million, including compensation for the injured match official.

A deduction of three league points and three goals.

An order to play their next three home matches behind closed doors.

The league found that Warri Wolves had failed to provide adequate security and prevent unauthorised access to restricted areas.

These sanctions are separate from Justice's unexplained absence and do not constitute punishment against the player.

Warri Wolves appeal as relegation concerns grow

The club has challenged the disciplinary decision, requesting leniency based on its response to the incident.

Warri Wolves maintain that they helped identify the alleged assailant, provided evidence of attempts to prevent the incident and assisted in the suspect's subsequent arrest.

The management also acknowledged the seriousness of the matter and expressed confidence that its appeal would receive fair consideration.

However, the potential sporting consequences are substantial.

According to Foot Africa's NPFL standings, Warri Wolves have collected 12 point from ten matches, with three victories, three draws and four defeats.

The club warned that if the points deduction is upheld, its tally would fall to nine points, potentially dropping it from 14th to 17th place.

Such a development would increase relegation pressure early in the 2026 /27 campaign.

Playing three home fixtures without supporters could also weaken the team's traditional home advantage.

What happens next for Warri Wolves?

Warri Wolves must now address two separate issues:

Establish contact with Justice
Await the outcome of their disciplinary appeal

Their next challenge comes on Sunday 1 November when they travel to face Plateau United in Matchday 11 of the NPFL.

The fixture provides an opportunity to secure valuable points after a run of two consecutive goalless draws against Enyimba and Kano Pillars.

Meanwhile, the management must clarify Justice's situation without making assumptions about the reasons for his absence.

No public confirmation of his return or a final ruling on the club's appeal was available at the time of reporting.

With an absent player, a substantial financial penalty and the possibility of losing three league points, Warri Wolves face an important period that could significantly influence the direction of their season.

This article follows our newsroom’s editorial standards. To learn more about how we create and fact-check our content, see our Editorial Policy .

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.