OWERRI — Conflicting statements from top management have triggered widespread confusion surrounding the ownership status of Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Kun Khalifat FC ahead of the upcoming 2026/27 football season.
The Sale Notification
The controversy began after the NPFL management confirmed receiving an official letter from the club’s CEO, Amaefula Michael, requesting a formal transfer of ownership. The Owerri-based club, which narrowly escaped relegation on the final day of its debut top-flight campaign, has openly grappled with severe financial difficulties.
“On behalf of the shareholders of Kun Khalifat of Owerri, I hereby confirm that we are in the process of handing over the majority shares of the company to a prospective buyer,” Michael wrote in the leaked notification to the league body.
League authorities noted that the transaction must be finalized before the official season kickoff on August 28 to permit any structural change of the club’s name.
Management Issues Denials
Hours after the league’s announcement, Club President Rita Amaefula released a video statement explicitly denying that the team was up for an outright sale. Dismissing the liquidation reports as false, Amaefula insisted that the front office has only opened its doors to strategic brand partnerships and new minority investments to solidify long-term financial growth
The club’s media department urged fans to ignore total buyout rumors, maintaining that the “Pride of Imo” remains heavily focused on its current pre-season training routine and squad optimization. The ongoing corporate friction leaves potential investors and supporters waiting for a unified stance on who will hold controlling interest when the new campaign begins
