Nigerians Dou Hold Out on Contract Termination, Demand One-Year Salary as APR FC Accommodates Ugandan Recruits

Rwandan football giants APR FC are facing a standoff with Nigerian players Chidiebere Nwobodo and Godwin Odibo, who are demanding substantial payouts to terminate their contracts. The impasse arises as the club looks to make room for two newly signed Ugandan players, Hakim Kiwanuka and Denis Omedi.

Contract Dispute with Nigerian Duo

On January 20, 2025, APR FC announced that they had amicably parted ways with Godwin Odibo, who joined the club in mid-2024. Odibo agreed to a settlement of six months’ salary to terminate his contract, and the club expressed its gratitude in a statement:

“APR FC has parted ways with Odibo Godwin by mutual consent. We thank him for his contributions on and off the pitch and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

However, Chidiebere Nwobodo, Odibo’s compatriot, has yet to reach an agreement with the club. Nwobodo is demanding 12 months’ pay as a condition for terminating his two-year contract. APR FC has resisted meeting these demands, prolonging negotiations with the 23-year-old player, who was originally brought in to bolster the team’s wing play.

Arrival of Ugandan Players

The dispute coincides with the arrival of Ugandan forwards Hakim Kiwanuka and Denis Omedi, who joined APR FC in January 2025. The new signings are expected to strengthen the squad for the remainder of the season and have already begun training at the Shyorongi grounds.

• Hakim Kiwanuka: The forward arrives with a solid track record, having scored five goals in 15 matches during the 2024-2025 Uganda Premier League season.
• Denis Omedi: Signed from Kitara FC, Omedi has struggled to find the net this season, going goalless in his first ten appearances. Nevertheless, APR FC is optimistic about his potential under their system.

The Ugandan duo was warmly received by their new teammates and quickly integrated into training sessions.

Balancing Contracts and Squad Restructuring

The arrival of Kiwanuka and Omedi has necessitated a trimming of APR FC’s squad, which prompted the moves to part ways with the Nigerian players. While Odibo’s contract has been resolved, Nwobodo’s holdout continues to pose challenges for the club.

As APR FC looks to finalize its squad restructuring, the standoff highlights the difficulties of managing contractual obligations while pursuing new talent. Fans now await how the revamped squad, featuring the Ugandan recruits, will fare in upcoming competitions.