Northern Gateway SC has been plunged into controversy following the suspension and exit of five players after what the club has described as a disappointing and undisciplined first round of the season.
Daniel Oming, popularly known as Koyeng, Oscar Nyanga, Moses Olila, Bernard Ogwang and Opio Daniel have all been shown the exit door at the Lira-based side. The developments were confirmed by club head coach and co-owner Simon Ayoka, who spoke to Pacu Pacu Sports in a phone interview.
Ayoka did not entirely dismiss reports that the players had been chased away but insisted the club management had merely asked them to “rest.” According to him, the five were not formally suspended by management; rather, it was their fellow teammates who expelled them over repeated acts of indiscipline, including failure to report for training and absence on match days.
“As management, we didn’t suspend them. It is the players themselves who expelled them because they stopped coming for training and matches,” Ayoka said.
Ayoka pointed to the club’s improved performances since the departure of the five, highlighting Northern Gateway’s first win of the season — a 3–2 victory over Gulu City Council FC — as proof that the squad is better off without them.
Bernard Ogwang’s Case Disputed
Ayoka made a distinction in the case of Bernard Ogwang, claiming the midfielder is not among the suspended players because he allegedly informed management after one match that it would be his last appearance for the club.
However, Ogwang strongly refuted this claim in a separate interview, insisting he never approached management to declare his intention to leave.
“I have never received any official communication from Northern Gateway SC. I did not tell management that I was leaving,” Ogwang said, adding that while the other four players were issued suspension letters, he was not.
Commitment, Christmas Cups and Alleged Indiscipline
Ayoka revealed that earlier in the season, management asked all players to commit in writing their willingness to continue with the club. The five players reportedly failed to do so, after which, according to Ayoka, their discipline deteriorated.
He cited the festive season as a flashpoint, accusing the players of prioritizing Christmas Cup tournaments over club duties.
“Instead of honoring club duties, they were busy playing Christmas Cups. Even if they were paid UGX 100,000, that is not worth absconding from the club,” Ayoka said.
One of the key incidents highlighted was Northern Gateway’s away match against Red Devo FC in Amolatar, which the club lost 2–0 after the players allegedly failed to show up.
Ayoka further emphasized the club’s community-based nature, stressing its limited financial capacity.
“Northern Gateway is a community club. The players should know that the club doesn’t have any money. Some of these players are not serious — let them go,” he added.
He also accused some players of being found drunk around Central Park on the eve of match days, behavior he believes severely affected results. Despite the turmoil, Ayoka remains optimistic, saying the club has identified its problems and will challenge for FUFA Big League promotion in the second round.
Players Cry Foul Over Welfare
Ogwang painted a different picture, citing poor player welfare as the root cause of the fallout. He said the players were receiving no salary and inconsistent allowances, with match bonuses of just UGX 10,000 — money he would split to support his parents.
“There was pressure from home. My parents were complaining that football was not helping at all,” Ogwang explained.
He said the allowances eventually stopped, forcing him to seek income through the Abedi Festive Cup under Francis Angany, Abongorwot Team manager in Abedi Festive Cup. Ogwang also revealed that Kenneth Kaunda Okwir, commonly known as KK, supported him and Koyeng by giving them a motorcycle to operate as boda boda riders in order to survive in Lira.
KK Responds to Allegations
KK, proprietor of KK Cham Sports Center in Lira and Chairman of the Dwog Pacu Cup, dismissed claims that he influenced players to abandon Northern Gateway SC.
“At my level of exposure and love for football, can I really ask a player to ditch his club? That’s a lie,” KK said.
He explained that the motorcycle was only given temporarily after his usual rider went to Omer to organize the Abedi Festive Cup, leaving the bike idle. According to KK, the intention was to help the players earn a living and facilitate their movement to training.
KK added that he even met Northern Gateway SC Chairperson Alfred Olwe to explain his goodwill and insisted he would rather help players move to higher leagues than switch to rival clubs at the same level.
Players’ Version of Events
Koyeng confirmed that the suspensions stemmed from missing the Red Devo FC match but denied that they had gone to play the Abedi Festive Cup on that day. He said they were instead attending another tournament in Apac.
Koyeng also spoke emotionally about the hardships players endured in Lira, saying occasional support from KK Cham Sports Center helped them cope.
Possible Reconciliation?
Ayoka revealed that management could consider reinstating the suspended players, but only if the teammates who sanctioned their expulsion agree.
For now, the standoff highlights deeper issues of player welfare, discipline and survival in Uganda’s lower-tier football, with Northern Gateway SC’s season unfolding amid tension, blame and unresolved grievances.
