About 24 hours after announcing their withdrawal from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Owerri-based Kun Khalifat have returned to the league, urging supporters to storm the Dan Anyiam Stadium in the Imo State capital for their Matchday 25 fixture against Shooting Stars.
On Wednesday, a statement by Kun Khalifat owner, Michael Amaefula threw the topflight league into confusion when he announced the decision of the club to quit, citing unfair treatment by the league body.
He said that the club was forced to pull out of the league with ‘great disappointment and frustration’, while complaining about ‘an unjust system’.
The club’s action followed sanctions handed down by the NPFL after the team failed to honour their Matchday 24 game against El Kanemi Warriors, a decision the club said did not reflect the realities facing many teams in the country.
Amaefula said: ‘This decision follows the outrageous and disproportionate sanctions imposed upon our club by the NPFL for failing to honour a single match fixture. The punishment handed down to us – forfeiting three points and three goals, and a fine of N10 million – is not only unacceptable but a clear indication that the league’s management is more interested in penalising clubs than fostering growth and development’.
Amaefula said that Kun Khalifat acted in good faith and complied with the league procedures, but felt unfairly treated by NPFL authorities. The club said that the reasons for missing the match were genuine, but were ignored.
‘We provided valid reasons for our inability to fulfil the match obligation, yet our explanation was deemed unacceptable’, the statement further read.
The statement also highlighted the club’s investments and efforts to meet league standards, expressing disappointment that those efforts were not recognised, adding that ‘the NPFL’s actions have left us no choice but to withdraw from the league.
‘We cannot continue to be part of a system that disregards the well-being of its member clubs and prioritises revenue over development’.
While calling on other clubs in the league to call for reforms, Amaefula said that the system should be made to work for the clubs.
However, a few hours after the withdrawal, the club announced a change of mind and urged their fans to come out en masse for their NPFL game against Shooting Stars this weekend.
In another statement on Thursday, Amaefula cited ‘positive discussions’ with the NPFL for the latest turn of events.
He expressed the club’s ‘delight at the constructive dialogue with the NPFL board, as we are happy to put our differences behind us and focus on the beautiful game. We appreciate the League Management Board’s willingness to listen to and address our concerns. We look forward to a more collaborative and productive relationship moving forward’.
