Kun Khalifat FC’s withdrawal from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is not justified. It is unprofessional and damaging to the image of Nigerian football.

Before judging the situation, it is important to understand the background of the dispute.

Background to the Dispute

In an official statement dated February 3, 2026, the owner of Kun Khalifat FC announced the club’s immediate withdrawal from the NPFL. He said the decision was taken with “great disappointment and frustration” after the league punished the club for failing to honour their Matchday 24 fixture against El Kanemi Warriors.

According to the NPFL, Kun Khalifat FC breached the league’s Framework and Rules by not showing up for the match, which was scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026. As punishment, the league awarded El Kanemi Warriors three points and three goals. Kun Khalifat were also fined ₦10 million, although the fine was suspended for the rest of the season on the condition that no similar offence occurs. The club was given 48 hours to appeal the decision.

Reacting to the sanctions, the club owner described them as “outrageous and disproportionate”. He claimed the club had valid reasons for missing the match and insisted these reasons were ignored by the league.

In the statement, Kun Khalifat accused the NPFL of bias, lack of transparency and putting revenue above the welfare of clubs. The club said it could no longer continue in a system that, in its view, focuses on punishment rather than fairness. The statement also called on other clubs to demand reforms within the league, while thanking fans, players and stakeholders for their support.

Why Kun Khalifat’s Action Is Wrong

Despite these claims, Kun Khalifat FC’s withdrawal from the NPFL cannot be defended.

A football club does not have the right to ask a league body to change fixtures because of financial problems. Kun Khalifat requesting match postponements and even suggesting new dates because they claimed they lacked funds is not professional. That is not how organised football works.

In Europe, the rules are clear and strict. When a club is found to be struggling financially, punishment follows. There is no pity and no special treatment.

Rangers were demoted to the fourth division in Scotland in 2012 after serious financial problems. Parma were declared bankrupt in 2015 and dropped to Serie D in Italy. Malaga were banned from European competition because they could not meet financial requirements. These clubs were not begged to stay. They faced the consequences of financial failure.

That is how serious leagues protect their standards.

Nigerian leagues must also be firm. Clubs must meet all licensing and financial requirements or be removed. If this is not enforced, we will continue to embarrass ourselves with crises like the Kun Khalifat situation.

Kun Khalifat FC is wrong to demand sympathy. Football is a business before it is passion. If a club does not have money, the result is demotion, not emotional appeals. A club that cannot fund travel cannot be trusted to consistently pay players, officials and staff.

Clubs must operate only at levels their finances can sustain. Anything else is irresponsible.

Failure to honour a fixture always has consequences. In this case, the NPFL applied its rules by awarding three points, three goals and issuing a fine.

Instead of accepting responsibility and using the appeal process, Kun Khalifat chose to walk away and say “ha gbachala”.

This is not injustice. This is regulation.

If Nigerian football wants respect, rules must be applied without emotion. Clubs must be ready before entering the league. If not, they should remain where their finances can carry them.

So the real question remains simple.

Are we ready to run Nigerian football professionally, or will we continue to manage it with pity?

With Top Reward, trainer Clayton Douglas nurtures Group 1 dreams for the 2026 autumn series, starting the colt’s campaign in a Stakes race at Caulfield.

The son of Shamus Award resumes in Saturday’s Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m), having had two spring appearances before a rest period.

Top Reward claimed his maiden win at 1500m on debut at Mornington in October, then tackled Stakes company, running third—six lengths off the winner Sheza Alibi—in November’s Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.

Tuesday saw Douglas join Top Reward and stablemate Mr Waterville for a gallop at Caulfield to gear up for the colt’s return this Saturday.

Douglas envisions the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) in Randwick during April for Top Reward, via the 1800m Group 2 Autumn Classic at Caulfield on February 21 after his opening run.

“He’s a lovely colt. He’s got a lovely brain about him and he’s got nice ability,” Douglas said.

“It was good to get those couple of runs into him in the spring and he’s come back a more furnished colt now.

“We’ll probably look to step him up to 1800 metres second-up, which may be better for him, but he’s a lovely, clean-winded horse and I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes first-up.

“He could be a Derby colt, but we’ll take each run as it comes, but over the next eight to 12 weeks, there are plenty of options for him, but so long as he keeps stepping up to the mark, well keep putting it to him.”

Two jump-outs have preceded Top Reward’s return, with Douglas noting the 1400m on Saturday might suit less ideally.

“He’s got good gate speed, so I wouldn’t think he would be too far away,” Douglas said.

“But there might be something that’s a bit sharper than him on Saturday but going forward he might be a horse to look out for.”

Mr Waterville from the same stable is in contention for the 1600m benchmark 84 on Saturday, Friday’s Colac Cup (2000m), and the Listed Premier’s Plate (2006m) at Morphettville Saturday.

Yet to race for Douglas, the Irish-bred Mr Waterville was initially handled by Chris Waller in Australia.

“He trialled well here last week and to me he’s a horse that would prefer to kick off over 10 furlongs, that’s probably more suitable for him,” Douglas said.

As the hurdles season nears, Douglas pointed to potential over jumps for Mr Waterville.

Top Reward’s Autumn Stakes clash offers plenty of value in the racing betting markets, perfect for punters.

The post Clayton Douglas looking for a Top Reward first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

Opener Abhishek Sharma jockingly mocked Team India star Arshdeep Singh’s funny poetry in the dressing room after India’s T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match against South Africa. The contest took place in Navi Mumbai on February 4, with India winning by 30 runs.

After the game, the players were having a light moment in the dressing room. Arshdeep Singh, in his usual element, came up with a hilarious poetry.

“Humne usse itna dekha, jitna dekha jaa sakta tha. Aur bhala in do ankhon se kitna dekha ja sakta tha (We saw him/her as much as could be seen. And really, how much more could be seen with these two eyes?),” he said.

Abhishek Sharma showed Arshdeep his hand and jokingly asked him to leave right away. The pacer also got all-rounder Axar Patel into the conversation, who burst into laughter upon hearing his poetry.

Watch the video of the moment below –

Abhishek, Axar, and Arshdeep did well in the warm-up fixture against South Africa. India batted first and posted 240/6. Abhishek scored 24 off 18 balls, including three boundaries and a six, before being retired out. Axar scored an unbeaten 35 off 23 balls, including two boundaries and as many sixes.

With the ball, India restricted South Africa to 210/7. Arshdeep returned figures of 1/29 from four overs.

Abhishek Sharma will be key to India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign

Abhishek Sharma will have a massive role to play in India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. The opener has been in sensational form. He had a magnificent 2025, scoring 859 runs from 21 T20Is at an average of 42.95 and a strike rate of 193.46 with a century and five half-centuries.

In the five-match T20I series against New Zealand this year as well, he made 182 runs at an average of 45.50 at a strike rate of 249.31 with two half-centuries.

The left-hander has been consistent at the top, while maintaining an attacking approach. He has been instrumental in providing India with blazing starts more often than not. The Men in Blue will expect him to continue his fireworks at the T20 World Cup as well.