El-Kanemi suffer first defeat, as Kun Khalifat get first win

 By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports 

 
El-Kanemi Warriors FC got their first taste of defeat of the 2025/26 Nigeria Professional Football League season, as the fell to Kun Khalifat FC away from home, in a lively showdown at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, South-East, Nigeria.

The highly anticipated game kicked off, with the home fans turning up in numbers to support their team and the hosts wasted no time in showing their intent as they started brightly, creating two clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges, coming agonizing close to breaking the deadlock.

 

Kun Khalifat kept knocking and their persistence paid off in the 34th minute as they took the lead, enjoying the comfort of a 1-0 halftime advantage.

After the restart, El-Kanemi Warriors responded with fierce determination, leveling the scoreline, with the first play of the second half, as Ebuka Okoro scored a stunning volley to level at 1-all.

 

The celebrations were short-lived, as Kun Khalifat FC regained the lead two minutes later, with a quick counterattack to make it 2-1.

Despite efforts from the Warriors to gain a foothold in the game, Kun Khalifat FC maintained control and a swift 56th minute counter-attack caught El-Kanemi' defense off-guard, calmly slotting it past goalkeeper Hakeem Otuyiga to seal the win at 3-1.

 

The introduction of Bright Etegrah gave El-Kanemi an edge in midfield, but it was not enough to halt the home team’s momentum. 

 

Both teams made tactical changes late in the game, but the scoreline remained unchanged through five minutes of added time.

 

★ HEAR FROM THE ACTORS

✓ Warriors Coach, KABIRU DOGO

“It’s part of the game to win or to lose. I told my boys not to underrate them, but you can see how things changed. We’ll go back to the drawing board and make the necessary adjustments ahead of our next home match against Warri Wolves FC.”

✓ Warriors Captain, MUKTAR ISMAIL

“We gave a good performance, but I think fatigue played a major role in the outcome today.”

El-Kanemi Warriors FC will look to bounce back in front of their home fans as they prepare to face Warri Wolves FC in Matchday 5 in Maiduguri, the ballers representing Babagana Umara Zulum are currently 13th on the log with 5 points, while Kun Khalifat are 15th on 4 points.