CAF Reduces Enyimba Captain Oladapo’s Ban To Six Months

Enyimba FC captain Augustine Oladapo’s one year ban  by African soccer’s governing body CAF for violating doping rules has been reduced to six months after an appeal, the Nigerian top-flight side said in a statement on Wednesday.

Traces of the banned substance Prednisone were found in the Nigeria international’s urine after the Confederations Cup tie against Pyramids FC of Egypt on May 16, 2021, CAF said in July, leading to a year-long ban for the player from all football activities.

A panel at CAF Appeal Board partially upheld the player’s appeal and reduced his ban that commenced on July 4, meaning he will now be eligible to play from January 5.

“The Board has decided to reduce the sanction of player Oladapo Augustine from one year to six (6) months. Therefore the player Oladapo Augustine is suspended from taking part in any football related activities until 4th January 2022,” reads part of statement from CAF.

Enyimba FC had said Oladapo had been on preventive COVID-specific treatment after being diagnosed with malaria with bronchitis and that may have played a role in the positive test result.

Oladapo joined the Aba Elephant from Gombe United four seasons ago and was instrumental in Enyimba campaign in the 2020/2021 CAF Confederation Cup where the team reached the group stages.

He had decent 2016-17 season for Gombe United scoring ten league goals before the People’s Elephants secured his services, on a long-term deal.