Kun Khalifat’s NPFL Exit: Protest or Pure Unprofessionalism?

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?