NPFL Drama: Kun Khalifat FC Quits, Blinks, and Returns Within 24 Hours

By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo

Kun Khalifat FC have pulled off a dramatic U-turn that has left Nigerian football fans stunned, confused and debating governance yet again, announcing their return to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) less than 24 hours after publicly walking away from the league in protest.

The club’s initial decision to quit followed NPFL sanctions for failing to honour a league fixture — a three-point and three-goal forfeiture plus a ₦10 million fine. What might have been handled quietly instead exploded into public confrontation after club owner Michael Amaefula released a scathing statement accusing the league of bias, lack of transparency and prioritising punishment over development.

Amaefula’s withdrawal message read like a declaration of war, urging fellow clubs to demand reforms and accountability while stating Kun Khalifat FC could no longer be part of what he described as a broken system. The statement triggered widespread reactions across the football space, with many questioning both the severity of the punishment and the league’s crisis-management approach.

But before the dust could settle, Kun Khalifat FC changed course.

Within 24 hours, the club announced it had reached an understanding with the NPFL League Management Board after “positive discussions,” effectively reversing its withdrawal and confirming its immediate reinstatement into the league.

In a calmer follow-up tone, Amaefula praised the board for listening to the club’s concerns and expressed readiness to move forward, a stark contrast to the earlier declaration that the club was “done with the NPFL.”

Kun Khalifat FC will now return to action against Shooting Stars of Ibadan on Sunday, 8 February 2026, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, with the club calling on supporters to turn out in large numbers.

While fans may welcome the return to football, the episode raises uncomfortable questions. Should disciplinary decisions reach crisis point before dialogue happens? And what message does a 24-hour withdrawal-and-return send about authority, consistency and conflict resolution in the NPFL?

For now, the league moves on, but the Kun Khalifat FC saga serves as another reminder that Nigerian football’s biggest battles are often fought off the pitch.