By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Jigawa Golden Stars Football Club has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeal Committee to expedite its ruling on the unresolved dispute arising from their abandoned match against Gombe United.
The plea was made in a press statement issued from Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, and signed by the club’s spokesperson, Comrade Ibrahim Isyaku, who stressed the urgency of a resolution before the rescheduled fixture between the two sides.
According to Isyaku, the initial encounter, played on March 7, 2025, in Gombe, was disrupted due to an incident that forced the match to be abandoned. The matter was subsequently reported to the NFF Complaints Committee, which ruled in favour of Jigawa Golden Stars, fined Gombe United ₦2.5 million, and ordered that the remainder of the match be concluded at a neutral venue.
“Gombe United, however, appealed the decision to the NFF Appeal Committee,” Isyaku explained. “Despite preparations for the return fixture, the committee has yet to communicate its final ruling, leaving the club and stakeholders in limbo.”
The Golden Stars have therefore urged the NFF and match organisers to postpone the return match until the Appeal Committee delivers its verdict, warning that proceeding without clarity could compromise the integrity of the fixture.
Isyaku reassured fans and stakeholders that the club’s management, technical staff, and players remain focused on their objectives.
“Golden Stars are fully committed to securing promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League at the earliest opportunity, and we will continue to prepare for the challenge while respecting the governance process,” he added.
Observers note that the delay in the Appeal Committee’s decision highlights ongoing challenges in the timely administration of football justice in Nigeria, and raises questions about scheduling and operational efficiency ahead of critical league fixtures.