The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season promises a thrilling start with a clash of titans as defending champions Remo Stars lock horns with 2022 champions Rivers United on August 22nd in Ikenne. This headline fixture, determined during the official draw ceremony held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, sets the stage for a season expected to be filled with intense competition and captivating football. The draw, overseen by former internationals Garba Lawal and Chikelue Iloenyosi, along with NPFL officials, also revealed a series of intriguing matchups for the opening weekend, ensuring fans across the country are treated to a captivating start to the season.
The opening weekend’s fixtures offer a diverse range of exciting encounters. Abia Warriors will host Kano Pillars in Umuahia, promising a clash between two teams with a history of delivering exciting matches. Wikki Tourists will welcome Plateau United to Bauchi, while in Enugu, Rangers International will face off against ambitious newcomers Khun Khalifat, who will be eager to make a statement in their debut season. Newly promoted Barau FC face a baptism by fire against former champions Enyimba, offering a compelling narrative of a rising club testing their mettle against established giants. Shooting Stars, looking to build on their previous season’s performance, will begin their campaign at home against Bayelsa United.
The remaining fixtures for the opening weekend offer equally intriguing storylines. Niger Tornadoes will take on Nasarawa United, while El-Kanemi Warriors host Bendel Insurance in a battle between two sides known for their passionate fan bases. Kwara United will face Ikorodu City in Ilorin, completing a weekend of football that promises to ignite the passion of fans across the country. This carefully curated opening weekend schedule reflects the league’s commitment to providing high-quality and competitive football from the outset, setting the tone for an exciting season ahead.
NPFL Chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, expressed his optimism about the league’s continued growth and attributed part of this resurgence to the return of experienced Super Eagles players in the previous season. The presence of established international stars like Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi at Kano Pillars, Brown Ideye at Enyimba, and Godwin Obaje at Rangers International, among others, undoubtedly added to the league’s appeal and attracted larger crowds. This trend of returning Nigerian internationals choosing to play in the NPFL not only enhances the quality of the league but also inspires younger players and adds a significant boost to the league’s profile.
The NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, representing NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, echoed Elegbeleye’s sentiments and commended the NPFL for its improved calendar integrity. Maintaining a consistent and predictable schedule is crucial for the league’s professionalism and allows fans to plan their engagement with the sport more effectively. Furthermore, Sanusi highlighted the NFF’s commitment to further reforms and announced the initiative to train referees in Morocco on the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, indicating a potential future implementation of VAR in the NPFL. This move towards adopting VAR demonstrates the league’s ambition to align with global best practices and enhance the fairness and accuracy of officiating.
In essence, the upcoming 2025/26 NPFL season is poised to build upon the positive momentum generated in recent years. The compelling opening weekend fixtures, featuring clashes between title contenders and exciting new matchups, promise to captivate fans from the start. The return of experienced international players continues to elevate the league’s quality and profile, while the commitment to implementing VAR signifies the league’s dedication to continuous improvement and modernization. With these factors in play, the NPFL is well-positioned for another successful season, reinforcing its position as a prominent football league in Africa and providing a platform for showcasing Nigerian football talent to a wider audience.
