Kun Khalifat FC President, Mrs Rita Onyinyechi Amaefula, literarily went on the proverbial Cloud 9 after her side endured Crown FC pressure to snatch a 1-0 win in their opening match of the 2024/2025 Nigeria National League, NNL promotion play-offs on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State, Exclusivenews.com.ng reports.

Ahieke Chijioke converted a  6th minute penalty after Crown goalkeeper, Joshua Oladeji, needlessly fouled a Kun Khalifat striker inside the penalty box. Ahiaeke stepped forward and slotted coolly into the top corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

It turned out the first goal of the tournament after Barau and Yobe Desert Stars as well as Wikki Tourists versus Doma United games had ended in goalless draw respectively.

Ahiaeke's goal, his seventh this term with four coming from spot kicks, proved just enough for Kun Khalifat to sit top of the group standings with three points before the second group match involving pre tournament favourites, Warri Wolves and Osun United which the later won 1-0 courtesy of Ebenezer Odeyemi's late first half goal.

The Kun Khalifat President could not hold back joy and emotion when Exclusivenews.com.ng accosted her moments after the final whistle.

"First, I want to give all the glory to God Almighty. Indeed, I'm very grateful and happy. Right from the beginning of this season, we saw how it was going and the fact that we've been conquering. So, I was confident and hopeful that we'll continue to conquer till the end", Mrs Amaefule began in a most emotion-ladden tone.

"God will grant us the victory that we've always dreamt of, aspired for and worked hard for".

The joyous woman of shrewd optimism reflected on the hard-fought win which now draws the Owerri side a step closer to their Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, dream and concluded it was victory achieved the hard way.

"It wasn't easy at all because our opponents, Crown FC, also came, fully prepared", she responded with visible joy.

"But trust the 'KKFC Boys', they used all conceivable strategies and strenght they could muster to go through. Of course, don't forget the unity, the team spirit, determination, commitment and the spirit of never-say-never amongst the players to achieve this victory that we got today;  so sweet a victory for that matter because, winning your first match in a competition like this is always important and boosts team confidence".
Even before Ahiaeke Chijioke's goal, Crown looked the more sharper side, with thrilling rendition of crisp passes and excellent touches. They enjoyed larger portion of ball possession with sumptuous interchange of positions.

Their urgency became even more after they went down but the Obinna Uzoho charges defended stoutly, cutting every blade of the grasses with their heads tightly screwed onto their necks.

Asked what was going through her mind during the  'Crown FC tempest' moments, the Kun Khalifat President responded sharply by saying she wasn't under pressure at all during those anxious moments.

She revealed her concern was the high rate of injuries the visited her players.

"Not really. But just that I was worried and concerned by some of our players who had picked injuries. I didn't want it to escalate as to affect them in the game and as well in our second game on Monday.

"So my palpable fear or worries then wasn't about the game but the players, for them to just keep fighting a little bit more and they did, I trust the boys".
On Monday, 7 July, 2025, Kun Khalifat will be up against Warri Wolves at same venue in what no doubt stands as the important but equally most difficult game of the campaign. A win for 'The Pride of Imolites' will automatically hand them a ticket for the 2025/2026 NPFL.

On the other hand, Warri Wolves would need nothing short of the three points to revive their campaign in a bid to put their elite league dream back on track.

But Mrs Amaefule would place confidence and value in her team's collective resolve to drive their ambition to a successful end.

"Like I said before, we started with high spirit and we are not going to drop it or lower the ante one bit.
"And by the special grace of God, we're going to do even better in the second game. Victory is surely going to be ours", she said before restating their message to do the people of Imo State proud in the tournament by securing a promotion ticket.

"The slogan of KKFC is 'The Pride of Imolites'. And in line with our slogan, we said we're going to make them proud. And definitely we're going to make them proud at the end of the day. That's why we're here. They should continue to stand behind us".

Scorer of the first goal in the Super 8 tournament, Ahiaeke Chijioke, expressed happiness over his goal and the fact that it helped them secure their first win in the play-offs.

"I'm very happy to have scored the goal that gave us victory today", Chijioke said in a confident tone.

"For me, it was a privilege to have scored the first goal of the 2024/2025 Super 8 Tournament here in Asaba.

"I had no fears at all before going for the kick because its my job. Yes, my job as a player is to score goals and I don't have to fear when I had opportunity to score goal.

"There wasn't any reason for me to fear. Its normal for me to take penalty kicks. I'm the penalty taker for my team. I normally take penalty kicks and during the regular season, I scored six goals and three were from penalty kicks.

"My ambition here, which is also the target of the team, is to help Kun Khalifat to gain promotion to the NPFL".