Kun Khalifat will return to action in the Nigeria Premier Football League on Sunday (today) when they face Shooting Stars after a brief and dramatic withdrawal from the competition earlier this week, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The newly promoted side had announced their exit from the league less than 24 hours after failing to honour their matchday 24 fixture against El Kanemi Warriors, a decision that prompted sanctions from the league board.
Kun Khalifat described the punishment as unfair and disproportionate, claiming they had informed the Nigeria Premier Football League on several occasions of their inability to play the fixture but received no response.
Under league regulations, clubs that fail to honour fixtures without acceptable justification risk a fine of up to 10 million naira, forfeiture of the match, and the loss of three points and three goals.
Kun Khalifat were handed a suspended fine, meaning payment would only be enforced if a similar breach occurs before the end of the season.
Sunday’s fixture will kick off at 4pm and will be broadcast live on NPFL Live and Propel Sports. Yusuf Garba will serve as referee, with Joel Ota and Maimuri Abu as assistant referees, while Lewis Gwatana will act as fourth official.
Khalifat enter the match at the bottom of the table with 22 points from 24 games and are struggling for form, having lost three of their last five league matches.
Their recent run includes a 3–0 awarded loss to El Kanemi Warriors, defeats to Enugu Rangers and Katsina United, a draw away to Remo Stars in Ibadan, and a narrow home win over Kwara United.
Fewer than three goals have been scored in six of their last eight matches.
The Oluyole Warriors arrive in Owerri chasing a continental place. The Ibadan club sit sixth with 35 points from 23 matches and have also shown mixed form, recording wins over Bendel Insurance and Enyimba but suffering defeats against Ikorodu City, Bayelsa United and Enyimba away.
The fixture comes against the backdrop of another reminder of Kun Khalifat’s uneasy relationship with the league.
With relegation pressure mounting and scrutiny still intense after the latest controversy, Sunday’s match against Shooting Stars represents an immediate test of Kun Khalifat’s resolve and focus as they attempt to steady their season on and off the pitch.
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