Kun Khalifat FC’s withdrawal from the Nigeria Premier Soccer League (NPFL) shouldn’t be justified. It’s unprofessional and damaging to the picture of Nigerian soccer.
Earlier than judging the scenario, it is very important perceive the background of the dispute.
Background to the Dispute
In an official assertion dated February 3, 2026, the proprietor of Kun Khalifat FC introduced the membership’s fast withdrawal from the NPFL. He mentioned the choice was taken with “nice disappointment and frustration” after the league punished the membership for failing to honour their Matchday 24 fixture in opposition to El Kanemi Warriors.
In line with the NPFL, Kun Khalifat FC breached the league’s Framework and Guidelines by not exhibiting up for the match, which was scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026. As punishment, the league awarded El Kanemi Warriors three factors and three objectives. Kun Khalifat have been additionally fined ₦10 million, though the advantageous was suspended for the remainder of the season on the situation that no comparable offence happens. The membership was given 48 hours to attraction the choice.
Reacting to the sanctions, the membership proprietor described them as “outrageous and disproportionate”. He claimed the membership had legitimate causes for lacking the match and insisted these causes have been ignored by the league.
Within the assertion, Kun Khalifat accused the NPFL of bias, lack of transparency and placing income above the welfare of golf equipment. The membership mentioned it may now not proceed in a system that, in its view, focuses on punishment reasonably than equity. The assertion additionally referred to as on different golf equipment to demand reforms inside the league, whereas thanking followers, gamers and stakeholders for his or her assist.
Why Kun Khalifat’s Motion Is Mistaken
Regardless of these claims, Kun Khalifat FC’s withdrawal from the NPFL can’t be defended.
A soccer membership doesn’t have the fitting to ask a league physique to vary fixtures due to monetary issues. Kun Khalifat requesting match postponements and even suggesting new dates as a result of they claimed they lacked funds shouldn’t be skilled. That’s not how organised soccer works.
In Europe, the principles are clear and strict. When a membership is discovered to be struggling financially, punishment follows. There is no such thing as a pity and no particular therapy.
Rangers have been demoted to the fourth division in Scotland in 2012 after severe monetary issues. Parma have been declared bankrupt in 2015 and dropped to Serie D in Italy. Malaga have been banned from European competitors as a result of they may not meet monetary necessities. These golf equipment weren’t begged to remain. They confronted the results of monetary failure.
That’s how severe leagues shield their requirements.
Nigerian leagues should even be agency. Golf equipment should meet all licensing and monetary necessities or be eliminated. If this isn’t enforced, we are going to proceed to embarrass ourselves with crises just like the Kun Khalifat scenario.
Kun Khalifat FC is unsuitable to demand sympathy. Soccer is a enterprise earlier than it’s ardour. If a membership doesn’t have cash, the result’s demotion, not emotional appeals. A membership that can’t fund journey can’t be trusted to constantly pay gamers, officers and employees.
Golf equipment should function solely at ranges their funds can maintain. The rest is irresponsible.
Failure to honour a fixture at all times has penalties. On this case, the NPFL utilized its guidelines by awarding three factors, three objectives and issuing a advantageous.
As a substitute of accepting accountability and utilizing the attraction course of, Kun Khalifat selected to stroll away and say “ha gbachala”.
This isn’t injustice. That is regulation.
If Nigerian soccer desires respect, guidelines have to be utilized with out emotion. Golf equipment have to be prepared earlier than coming into the league. If not, they need to stay the place their funds can carry them.
So the true query stays easy.
Are we able to run Nigerian soccer professionally, or will we proceed to handle it with pity?
