Daniel Daga Wins Appeal, Cleared to Return for Molde FK
Molde FK have announced that Nigerian midfielder Daniel Daga has won his appeal after the Frostating Court of Appeal acquitted him of the sexual assault allegations that kept him out of action for 11 months.
In a statement released on Thursday, July 2, 2026, the Norwegian club confirmed that the 19-year-old is now available for selection again as they await the final judgment in the case.
Daga, a former Nigeria U20 international, had been sidelined by Molde since legal proceedings began against him.
The midfielder was previously sentenced to six months in prison by the Romsdal District Court after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman. The court also ordered him to pay NOK 10,000 in legal costs.
The incident was said to have taken place in April 2025, while charges were officially filed on December 19, 2025.
Following the earlier ruling, Daga’s lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, maintained that her client was innocent and insisted that the encounter had been consensual. She immediately announced plans to appeal the verdict.
“He is terribly sorry that the verdict was the way it was,” Bolstad said at the time. “He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent.”
After the initial conviction, Molde FK removed Daga from first-team activities, stating that he would not be considered for selection while the legal process continued.
With the Court of Appeal now overturning the conviction and acquitting the Nigerian midfielder, Daga is set to return to action for Molde after nearly a year away from competitive football.
