July 28, (THEWILL) – Africa’s football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has slammed a one-year ban on Oladapo Augustine, team captain of indigenous football club, Enyimba International Football Club of Aba.
The penalty came from what CAF stated was a doping violation.
According to the Confederation, Oladapo tested positive for the banned substance “Prednisolone/Prednisone” found in his urine sample which was obtained after Enyimba’s May 16 CAF Confederations Cup tie against the Pyramids FC of Egypt.
Prednisone is considered a steroid and it serves as an anti-inflammation and immunosuppressant medication. It is used in the treatment of allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.
CAF indicated that the ban will be in effect from July 4, 2021, which is the official date of notification of the provisional suspension from the continental body.
The formal statement read: “The result of the player Oladapo Augustine urine test in Bottle “A” which was collected in match N °153 between Pyramids FC (Egypt) Vs Enyimba FC (Nigeria), played on 16th of May 2021 in the frame of Total CAF Confederation Cup 2020/2021 was considered positive due to the presence of a prohibited substance “Prednisolone/Prednisone”.
“On 18th June 2021, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was informed of the result and asked the player to indicate if he wishes to request the analysis of sample “B”.
“On 22nd June, CAF received the reply of Enyimba club through NFF indicating that the player has elected to not request the analysis of the ‘B’ sample.”
“The club had indicated that any trace of the prohibited substance might have resulted from the prescribed medication the player was on during the same period, and they have communicated the club’s doctor’s report detailing the medications that were prescribed.”
The statement finished with the pronouncement: “The player Oladapo Augustine was provisionally suspended from all football activities until a final decision is rendered by CAF Disciplinary Board.”
In his response, the Enyimba captain insisted on his innocence of the doping charge. Oladapo, who was shocked by the ban, vehemently denied the drug use, saying: “I don’t take drugs if the team doctor didn’t prescribe for me. I had pains when we were preparing for the game & I took painkillers prescribed by the team doctor. I don’t drink and smoke. I am shocked.
His side of the issue was backed up by the club. An official was reportedly as insistent on his innocence as the player and said the club had taken steps to seek redress: “We have appealed, he is a clean player.”
However, with the ban in place, Oladapo will miss the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture between the Elephants of Aba and the Lagos-based Mountain of Fire and Miracles Football Club, MFM FC, on Sunday, August 1.
Until the appeal of the ban is heard and a counter notion to the ban is obtained, Oladapo will likely be unable to be fielded as an Enyimba player without running afoul to CAF statutes and regulations.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
