The 2025–26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicked off in dramatic fashion, with Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United grabbing eye-catching away wins to set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling campaign.
The weekend began with a high-profile 1-1 draw between last season’s top two, Remo Stars and Rivers United, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta on Friday. However, it was the exploits of Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United that stole the spotlight.
Warri Wolves, newly promoted to the topflight, stunned Katsina United 1-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium. Igbunnu Evwierhurhoma netted the decisive goal in the 76th minute to mark a dream return for the Napoleon Aluma-led side. Having won promotion through the NNL Super 8 and impressed during the preseason in Yenagoa, the Seasiders showed they mean business.
In Ibadan, Bayelsa United delivered another away upset by defeating Shooting Stars 1-0. Kehinde Lawal scored in the 30th minute, sealing a strong start for the visitors while raising concerns for the newly restructured Shooting Stars management.
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There were also solid home wins elsewhere. Abia Warriors edged Kano Pillars 1-0 thanks to Paul Samson’s 35th-minute strike. El Kanemi Warriors beat Bendel Insurance 2-0 despite finishing the game with ten men after Zayyad Musa’s red card. Al’amin Umar and Daddy Abdulrahman got on the score sheet in the 49th and 66th minutes, respectively—the opener coming from the penalty spot.
At the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, Wikki Tourists marked their return to the NPFL with a narrow 1-0 win over Plateau United. Luis Dadong converted a penalty in the 44th minute to seal the three points.
Newcomers Kun Khalifat FC made a statement with a goalless draw away at Rangers International in Enugu, earning their first topflight point on debut. Kwara United and Ikorodu City also played out a scoreless draw—remarkably, a repeat of their season-opening result at the same venue last year.
Another debutant side, Barau FC, held NPFL giants Enyimba to a 0-0 draw in Kano, showing their readiness to compete at this level.
NPFL Matchday One Results:
Remo Stars 1–1 Rivers United
Abia Warriors 1–0 Kano Pillars
Wikki Tourists 1–0 Plateau United
Katsina United 0–1 Warri Wolves
Rangers 0–0 Kun Khalifat
Kwara United 0–0 Ikorodu City
El-Kanemi 2–0 Insurance
Shooting Stars 0–1 Bayelsa United
Barau FC 0–0 Enyimba