NPFL: Kun Khalifa FC withdraws from Nigerian league, give reason

Kun Khalifa FC has announced that it is leaving the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) because of what it calls “unfair punishment” by the league.

In a statement on Wednesday, the club’s CEO, Michael Amaefula, said Kun Khalifa will no longer play in a league that

“ignores the problems faced by its clubs and focuses on punishment instead of fairness.”

The decision came after the NPFL penalized the Imo-based team for missing their match against El-Kanemi Warriors in Maiduguri on February 2, 2026. The league gave the club a three-point and three-goal deduction and fined them N10 million.

Kun Khalifa said it had informed the league about its problems, including the breakdown of its team vehicles, but the NPFL ignored these messages. The club also said the league rescheduled the match without talking to them.

“The deduction of points and goals, along with the N10 million fine, is too harsh and shows bias against our club,” the statement said.

The club called on the NPFL to review its rules to ensure clubs are treated fairly and with respect. It also urged other clubs to demand more transparency and accountability from the league management.

Kun Khalifa FC is one of four privately owned clubs in the NPFL this season, along with Remo Stars, Ikorodu City, and Barau FC. This is the club’s first season in the top division after quickly rising through the lower leagues in just five years.

In August 2025, the club asked the public for donations to help cover the costs of playing in the NPFL, admitting it might not be able to travel for away games without support.

The last time a club started an NPFL season but did not finish was in 2012, when Ocean Boys were disqualified for missing four consecutive matches.