Kun Khalifat FC have reversed their brief withdrawal from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and agreed to return to competition following constructive talks with league officials. The Owerri based club will now resume its season after sanctions were waived and their postponed Matchday 24 fixture against El-Kanemi Warriors was rescheduled.
The intense stand off had begun after the club failed to honour their scheduled trip to face El-Kanemi Warriors, prompting NPFL sanctions which Kun Khalifat described as unfair.
Kun Khalifat FC initially announced their withdrawal from the NPFL in protest against a ₦10 million fine, a three point and three goal deduction imposed on them for missing their Maiduguri fixture. The club cited logistical difficulties and insisted it had communicated its concerns ahead of the scheduled match.
After a peace meeting with league organisers, the NPFL agreed to waive the sanctions and reschedule the El-Kanemi Warriors fixture, defusing the crisis and allowing Kun Khalifat to continue in the top flight.
With the dispute resolved, Kun Khalifat FC have been reinstated in the NPFL and will immediately return to competitive football. Their next league game is scheduled against Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday, 8 February 2026.
The club has called on fans both at home in Owerri and across Nigeria to rally behind the team as they aim for a strong renewal of their campaign following the period of uncertainty.
Editorial
The swift resolution of Kun Khalifat FC’s standoff with the NPFL highlights both the tensions and the potential for dialogue within Nigerian domestic football. While the club’s initial withdrawal underscored frustrations over sanctioning practices and the logistical realities facing teams, the eventual agreement to reinstate them suggests that effective communication can prevent escalation and protect the competitive integrity of the league.
For the NPFL, this episode may serve as a case study in balancing enforcement of league rules with empathy toward clubs operating under challenging conditions. Kun Khalifat’s return restores a full complement of fixtures and prevents further disruption to the schedule, benefiting fans and broadcasters alike.
For supporters in Owerri and beyond, the focus is now back on the pitch. A positive reaction from Kun Khalifat following this dispute could be a defining moment in their maiden NPFL campaign. Strong fan engagement and on-field commitment will be crucial if the club is to move up the table in the crucial second half of the season.
Did You Know?
- Kun Khalifat FC had initially withdrawn from the NPFL after sanctions for missing their Matchday 24 fixture against El-Kanemi Warriors were announced.
- The league had docked the club three points, awarded a 3-0 win to El-Kanemi Warriors, and imposed a suspended ₦10 million fine before the dispute was resolved.
- The Owerri-based side will return to NPFL action against Shooting Stars SC on Sunday, 8 February 2026.
- Kun Khalifat FC was competing in their first NPFL season after promotion from the Nigeria National League.
- Positive talks with the NPFL board led to the waiver of sanctions and a rescheduling of the disputed fixture.
