Nigerian Football
Echoes of 1987: Kun Khalifat FC League Withdrawal Revives Old NPFL Wounds
By Kunle Solaja.
Kun Khalifat FC’s dramatic withdrawal from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) is more than a club-versus-league dispute. It is the latest flashpoint in a long-running struggle over governance, sanctions, and the sustainability of privately owned clubs in Nigerian domestic football.
The club’s decision to quit the league, citing what it described as “outrageous and disproportionate” punishment for failing to honour a single fixture, has exposed fault lines that the NPFL has repeatedly tried, and failed, to seal.
The closest to the current scenario goes back 39 years, in 1987, when all non-government clubs, except the Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now Heartland), pulled out of the then Division 1 of the National League owing to poor league governance, which also occasioned extremely poor return on investment.
October 13, 1987: Twelve non-government football club owners, operating as the Association of Proprietors of Football Clubs in Nigeria (APFN), met at MKO Abiola’s Ikeja residence, Lagos, and formally informed the Sports Minister of their decision to withdraw from funding football at the end of the year.
The late Bashorun MKO Abiola championed the meeting, which Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu attended, but opted out of the implementation ostensibly as his club would be a major beneficiary in the pulling out by both Leventis United of Ibadan as league champions, and Abiola Babes as cup holders.
Sanctions vs Sustainability
Back to the current season, at the heart of the crisis is the NPFL’s disciplinary culture. The forfeiture of three points and three goals, coupled with a ₦10 million fine, may be defensible under league regulations, but Kun Khalifat FC’s reaction underscores a growing sentiment among club owners that enforcement is often rigid, punitive and disconnected from the harsh economic realities of Nigerian football.
Clubs routinely battle logistical nightmares: poor travel infrastructure, inconsistent funding, security challenges and late subventions. In this context, sanctions, especially financial ones, are increasingly seen not as corrective tools but as existential threats.
Kun Khalifat FC’s statement reflects this frustration, accusing the NPFL of prioritising punishment and revenue over development and club welfare. Whether that accusation is fair or not, it resonates within a league where several clubs survive month-to-month. Non-government-run clubs are the worst hit.
Immediate League Consequences
From a regulatory standpoint, the club’s withdrawal places the Nigeria Premier Football League in a difficult position.
If the exit is upheld, the NPFL is likely to:
- * Expel the club from the current season
- * Impose additional penalties for withdrawal
- * Decide whether to expunge Kun Khalifat FC’s results or award walkover victories for both played and unplayed matches
Either option risks distorting the competitive integrity of the league, affecting relegation battles, title races and continental qualification places.
More damaging, however, is the precedent. A mid-season withdrawal by a privately funded club sends a troubling signal to potential investors already wary of Nigerian football’s volatility.
Governance and Trust Deficit
Beyond the table and fixtures, the bigger issue is trust. Kun Khalifat FC alleges bias, lack of transparency and disregard for clubs’ explanations, claims the NPFL has yet to publicly address. Silence from the league risks reinforcing perceptions of an unresponsive and authoritarian structure.
This is where the Nigeria Football Federation may be forced to intervene. Historically, similar crises have required federation-level mediation to prevent reputational damage and restore order.
Without dialogue, the situation could escalate into legal disputes, appeals or arbitration battles—none of which serve the league’s credibility.
A Test Case for Reform
The club’s call for collective action, urging others to demand reforms and accountability, may be rhetorical, but it highlights a long-simmering tension between league administrators and club owners.
The NPFL has made strides in branding, broadcast partnerships and scheduling stability in recent seasons. Yet governance reforms around sanctions, dispute resolution and club welfare have lagged.
This episode could become a defining test:
- Will the league double down on strict enforcement?
- Or will it recalibrate, introducing flexibility and clearer engagement mechanisms?
What Happens Next
If Kun Khalifat FC maintains its stance, it risks long-term exclusion from top-flight football and the loss of the sporting momentum it has invested heavily to build. But the NPFL, too, stands to lose credibility, investor confidence, and yet another opportunity to present itself as a stable, professional league.
Ultimately, this is not just about one missed fixture. It is about whether Nigerian domestic football can balance discipline with empathy, and regulation with reality.
How the NPFL responds in the coming days may determine whether this episode becomes a footnote—or another chapter in the league’s recurring governance crises.
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Nigerian football premier league side, Kun Khalifat FC, which is one of the few privately run teams in the country’s elite division has announced its immediate withdrawal from the top division League, citing what it described as unfair and disproportionate sanctions imposed on the club by league authorities.
In a strongly worded press statement issued on Tuesday, the club’s owner, Kun Khalifat, expressed disappointment and frustration over penalties handed down for failing to honour a single league fixture.
According to the statement, the sanctions included the forfeiture of three points and three goals, as well as a fine of ₦10 million.
The club said it had provided what it considered valid reasons for its inability to fulfil the fixture, but claimed these explanations were rejected by the league.
“This punishment is not only unacceptable but a clear indication that the league’s management is more interested in penalising clubs than fostering growth and development,” the statement read.
Kun Khalifat FC accused the Nigeria Professional Football League of bias and a lack of transparency in its decision-making process, arguing that the ruling showed little regard for the operational and financial challenges faced by clubs across the country.
The club also stated that it had consistently sought to comply with league regulations and had invested heavily in team development and infrastructure, but felt those efforts were being undermined.
“As a club, we have always strived to comply with the league’s rules and regulations and have made significant investments in our team and infrastructure,” the statement added. “It is disheartening to see our efforts undermined by an organisation that seems to prioritise punishment over fairness and justice.”
Describing the decision as unavoidable, the club said it could no longer remain part of a system that, in its view, places revenue above development and the welfare of its member clubs.
Kun Khalifat FC further called on other clubs to demand reforms and greater accountability within the NPFL, insisting that Nigerian football must move forward in a more transparent and development-driven direction.
The club thanked its fans, players and stakeholders for their support, while indicating it would explore alternative platforms to showcase its talents and continue representing Nigerian football.
“We are done with the NPFL,” the statement concluded. The club is currently at the bottom of the table.
As of the time of filing this report, the NPFL had yet to issue an official response to the club’s withdrawal announcement.
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Officials of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have praised the facilities provided by Kunle Soname and Remo Stars FC following the conclusion of an inspection tour ahead of Nigeria’s bid to host the Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship.
A seven-member CAF inspection team, led by Omar Amr, concluded a two-day assessment on Wednesday after evaluating facilities at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne, the FC Ebedei Stadium in Sagamu, the Babcock University Teaching Hospital, and accommodation facilities at the Babcock University Guest House.
Speaking at the end of the exercise, CAF officials expressed strong satisfaction with the quality, standard and readiness of the facilities, describing them as outstanding by continental standards.
One member of the delegation told the President of Remo Stars FC and proprietor of the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Kunle Soname, that the complex was the finest football development facility he had seen anywhere in West Africa.
The inspection was part of CAF’s evaluation process for the Final Phase of the African Schools Football Championship, an annual U15 competition launched four years ago to promote youth football development and education across Africa.
The tournament is backed by a $10 million investment from the Motsepe Foundation, owned by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and features zonal qualifiers leading to a continental finals event.
Amr informed officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Remo Stars Sports Institute that a total of 24 teams are expected at the finals, which would make it the biggest edition since the competition began in 2022. The lineup will include eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from across Africa, as well as eight invited teams from another FIFA confederation.
The CAF delegation comprised Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (African Schools Football Championship Officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing and Branding), Mahmoud Amer (Travel and Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety and Security), Hend Thabet (Travel and Accommodation), alongside the Executive Director of WAFU B, Philippe Tchere.
They were accompanied during the inspection by NFF officials led by Dr Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf, with support from Mrs Oyinkansola Ajibola, General Manager of Beyond Limits Football Academy, and Michael Onikute.
CAF officials also highlighted the broader impact of the championship, noting its partnerships with organisations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, particularly in promoting health education among young players. Winners of the tournament are entitled to infrastructural development grants of up to $300,000.
The last edition of the finals was hosted by Accra, Ghana, where Tanzania emerged as champions in the boys’ category, and Ghana claimed the girls’ title.
The Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship is scheduled to take place in April, with CAF officials indicating that the facilities inspected in Ogun State have set a high benchmark for hosting elite youth football competitions on the continent.
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The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, on Wednesday hosted students and teachers of Tulip International School, Abuja, for an interactive and educational session at the NFF Headquarters.
The engagement focused on football development in Nigeria and the federation’s strategic role in using the sport to foster national unity, strengthen political and regional relationships, and build bridges with other countries through football diplomacy. Discussions also highlighted the growing importance of women’s football and the NFF’s ongoing efforts in early talent identification and structured development in that sector.
Speaking after the session, Sanusi said the visit was aimed at reinforcing the broader societal value of sport, particularly football, beyond competition.
“The purpose is to emphasise the role of sports in promoting national unity, cohesion and development,” Sanusi said. “It is also important to examine what the Nigeria Football Federation is doing to establish a global presence, especially in competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations. We discussed the last AFCON finals in Morocco and shared our perspectives, as well as the steps required to advance women’s football, including early talent identification from schools and communities.”
The Public Relations Officer of Tulip International School, Mubashir Shahzad, commended the NFF for its youth-focused initiatives and commitment to transparency in football administration.
“I have observed that the NFF is making significant efforts to positively impact the youth by developing and engaging them in football, while also ensuring transparency and improving standards,” Shahzad said. “Their commitment is clear, and we believe these efforts will positively influence regional sports leadership. We wish them continued success.”
Also present at the session were the NFF Director of Competitions, Ms Ruth David, the Director of Finance and Administration, Rajan Zaka, alongside other NFF staff members and students of Tulip International School.
The visit formed part of the federation’s broader outreach efforts to engage young people and educational institutions in conversations around football development, leadership and nation-building.
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