Kun Khallifa FC withdraw from NPFL over 'unfair sanctions by league board'

Kun Khalifa FC have announced their withdrawal from the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in protest of “unfair sanction”.

In a statemnt on Wednesday, Michael Amaefula, the club’s chief executive officer (CEO), said the Kun Khalifa will no longer be part of a league “that disregards the challenges faced by its member clubs and prioritizes punishment over fairness and justice”.

The decision to pull out of NPFL was triggered by the penalties handed to the Imo-based club after failing to make the trip to Maiduguri for their matchday 24 fixture against El-Kanemi Warriors on February 2, 2026.

The NPFL board said the reasons given by the club for missing the match was “unacceptable” and docked the team three points and goals with addition N10 million fine.

In reaction, Kun Khalifa said the club had conveyed its challenges — “including the breakdown of our team’s vehicles” — to the league body but the board failed to acknowledge the communication.

The club also accused the NPFL of “unilaterally” resheduling the match.

“The decision to forfeit 3 points and 3 goals, coupled with a fine of N10m, is not only disproportionate but a clear indication of the NPFL’s bias against our club,” the statement reads.

“We believe that the sanctions are a travesty of justice and demonstrate a lack of willingness to engage with clubs in a fair and transparent manner.

“We urge the NPFL to review their policies and procedures to ensure that clubs are treated fairly and with respect. We also call upon other clubs to demand reforms and greater accountability from the league management.”

Kun Khalifat FC is one of the four privately owned clubs featuring in the 2025/26 NPFL season, alongside Remo Stars, Ikorodu City and Barau FC.

The 2025/26 NPFL season is the club’s first-ever campaing in the top flight, having risen quickly through the lower divisions in just five years since its establishment.

In August 2025, the club had called for public donation to help with the financial demands of playing in the NPFL. Kun Khalifa had adimited that the team might not be able to honour away games if help is not rendered.

The last time a club started an NPFL campaign but did not finish was in 2012 when Ocean Boys were disqualified after failing to honour four consecutive matches.

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