The Owerri-based Kun Khalifat FC has officially announced its immediate withdrawal from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), citing fundamental disagreements with the league’s disciplinary board. The decision follows a series of sanctions imposed on the club after the squad failed to appear for their Matchday 24 fixture against El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri. League organizers ruled that the absence constituted a direct violation of the competition’s operational framework, subsequently awarding El-Kanemi Warriors a 3-0 walkover victory and the maximum three points.
In addition to the match forfeiture, the NPFL board levied a ₦10 million fine against the club for the logistical failure. While the league authorities have suspended the financial penalty for the remainder of the season—provided the club avoids further infractions—the leadership at Kun Khalifat remains steadfast in their opposition to the ruling. The club insists that they formally communicated valid logistical challenges to the league office prior to the match, but they claim officials rejected these explanations without due consideration.
The club’s management has lambasted the league’s handling of the situation, characterizing the penalties as a deterrent to the growth of privately owned teams in the top flight. They argue that the current administration prioritizes commercial interests and punitive measures over the operational realities and safety of traveling athletes. Following 24 matches in their debut top-flight campaign, the club has now opted to cease all participation in the professional league system as a protest against what they perceive as systemic bias.
Expressing their frustration with the governing body’s decision, the management of Kun Khalifat FC stated:
“The punishment handed down to us is not only unacceptable but a clear indication that the league’s management is more interested in penalising clubs than fostering growth and development. We cannot continue to be part of a system that disregards the well-being of its member clubs and prioritises punishment over fairness and justice.”
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