Another football player under the payroll of the Edo State Government has shockingly disappeared from the Bendel Insurance team’s camp as the team on Tuesday morning released a press statement about the unknown whereabouts of Vincent Augustus, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
100 days after his last appearance for the team, the Benin-based team winger Vincent Augustus is currently Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). Despite being given a one-week mid-season break along with the rest of the team and officials, Augustus in the statement has failed to return to the club’s camp, raising concerns about his whereabouts and commitment to the team.
The club’s secretary, Mr. Charles Ihimekpen, in the statement, expressed bewilderment at Augustus’s unexplained disappearance. He noted that the player has not made any contact with the club since the holiday period ended, neglecting his professional duties and breaching his contract terms.
“Vincent Augustus has not resumed training, the club does not know his whereabouts and he has not communicated with the club on happenings around him and his whereabouts. He expressed the club’s disappointment in him, adding that his act of dereliction of duty and refusal to open the line of communication with Bendel Insurance on his whereabouts is unprofessional and that it amounts to gross indiscipline which attracts appropriate sanctions.” the statement read.
“One would have expected the player to officially inform the club of his intentions if he has reasons to leave so that both parties can explore the means of mutual agreement on contract termination,” Ihimekpen said while adding that the club has always been attentive to its players’ welfare and had not previously received any complaints from Augustus.
Vincent Augustus netted for Bendel Insurance FC in a 2-2 draw against RS Berkane at the Samuel Ogbemudia in the CAF Confederations Cup second preliminary round. He last featured as a substitute for the Benin Arsenal in a goalless draw against Akwa United on the 28th of October, 2023.