2025/2026 NPFL Match Day 29: Kun Khalifat Seek Redemption Against Niger Tornadoes in Crucial Survival Clash

Posted : 08 March 2026

A vital relegation battle awaits at the Dan Anyiam Stadium as Kun Khalifat FC prepare to host Niger Tornadoes FC in a decisive Matchday 29 fixture of the Nigeria Premier Football League on Sunday.

For the Owerri-based side, the encounter represents another opportunity to revive their fading survival hopes after a turbulent campaign that has seen them struggle near the foot of the table.

Kun Khalifat currently sit bottom of the standings with 25 points from 26 matches, leaving them in urgent need of victories as the season approaches its decisive stretch.

Despite the difficult situation, defender Gabriel Lekan remains optimistic that the team can still steer clear of relegation if they maintain their fighting spirit.

``I believe our team is focused on relentless effort as we gain more mental strength and also learn from our failures to achieve greatness,” Lekan said.

The defender stressed that the players remain determined to reward the loyalty of the club’s supporters by preserving their top-flight status.

``We have an exciting team that is willing to fight for the badge and for the supporters till the end and retain our NPFL status.”

Kun Khalifat head into the clash seeking a response after their recent defeat in Kano to Barau FC, a result that further complicated their survival ambitions.

Their visitors, Niger Tornadoes, popularly known as the Ikon Allah Boys, arrive in Owerri in a relatively comfortable mid-table position with 34 points from 25 matches, and will be aiming to strengthen their standing with a positive result on the road.

Beyond results on the pitch, Kun Khalifat’s season has also been overshadowed by administrative turbulence.

The club briefly announced a withdrawal from the league earlier in February following sanctions related to a botched fixture against El-Kanemi Warriors FC, before reversing the decision less than 24 hours later.

Under NPFL regulations, clubs that fail to honour matches without acceptable reasons risk severe penalties, including fines, forfeiture, and points deductions.

In Kun Khalifat’s case, a ₦10 million fine was suspended, meaning it would only be enforced if another similar breach occurs before the end of the campaign.

The episode was not the first controversy surrounding the young club. Shortly after their debut top-flight match, a goalless draw against Rangers International FC earlier in the season, the newly promoted side raised concerns about the financial demands required to compete in the elite division.

Founded less than six years ago, Kun Khalifat’s rise through the ranks of Nigerian football has been rapid. However, their immediate challenge now is survival.

With the Owerri crowd expected to play a key role, Sunday’s encounter could prove pivotal as the Pride of Imo attempt to convert resilience into the crucial points needed to remain in the NPFL.

2025/2026 NPFL Match Day 29: Kun Khalifat Seek Redemption Against Niger Tornadoes in Crucial Survival Clash

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