Tag: NPFL

Niger Tornadoes head coach, Majin Mohammed, has commended his players for their discipline and commitment to tactical instructions in their narrow win over Bayelsa United in Minna.

The Bako Kontagora Stadium was packed to capacity as the Ikon Allah Boys played their first home game of the season in front of their fans. From the onset, Tornadoes controlled the tempo, with Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai dazzling the visitors’ defence with his silky footwork.

Read Also: Football fans express mixed reactions ahead Nigeria vs South Africa clash

The breakthrough came in the 27^th  minute when Ismaila Sarki rose highest to head home Abba Khalid’s pinpoint cross, sending the home fans into wild jubilation. Despite Bayelsa United’s search for an equaliser, the hosts held firm, protecting their slender advantage until the final whistle.

The result earned Tornadoes their second home win of the season and lifted them to 6^th  place on the NPFL standings with six points.

Speaking after the game, Coach Mohammed praised the team’s resilience and expressed gratitude to the supporters for their unwavering encouragement.

 “I want to appreciate everyone here for the massive turnout and the support we got this evening. I think that was the motivating factor that drove the boys,” he said.

Tornadoes will now shift focus to their next challenge—a tough away clash against Bendel Insurance in Benin.

The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League season began yesterday  with the clash between champions Remo Stars and last season’s runners-up Rivers United in Abeokuta. However, more action  starts tomorrow with  the rest of the Matchday One fixtures coming on the stream. But  eyes will be on the newly-promoted sides as they step into the spotlight, looking to prove themselves against some of the league’s established heavyweights writes TUNDE LIADI…

The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season has officially kicked off, with defending champions Remo Stars and last season’s runners-up Rivers United having already squared off in Abeokuta yesterday evening in a fiery curtain-raiser that  should set the tone for what promises to be another pulsating campaign.

But while that heavyweight clash stole early headlines, attention now shifts to Barau FC and Kun Khalifat FC, two newcomers who will be experiencing top-flight football for the very first time —and both face baptism-of-fire fixtures.

Barau FC ready for Enyimba’s stern test

 In Kano, Barau FC will host nine-time champions Enyimba at the Sani Abacha Stadium. The “Maliya Boys,” as they are known, are no strangers to get-up-and-go. Following their promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) this past season, they appointed veteran tactician Ladan Bosso, whose experience with Nigeria’s youth teams is expected to be a stabilizing force.

Bosso has wasted no time strengthening the squad. Barau’s transfer window was particularly busy, with the arrivals of key names such as goalkeeper Yusuf Muhammed, midfielder Sunday Anthony, and Ghanaian forward Abraham Nana Kwame among others, giving them a more battle-ready outlook ahead of the challenge.

Their opponents, Enyimba, are a club in transition. After a mass clear-out that saw 22 players leave, the Aba giants have chosen to keep things close to the chest. However, new head coach Stanley Eguma, appointed in December 2024, has declared clear intentions.

 “My target should be to win the league or, at worst, pick a continental ticket,” Eguma told the club media earlier this month.

After finishing a disappointing sixth last season, the People’s Elephant are under pressure to reassert themselves, and a trip to face an ambitious Barau side in Kano will be the first measure of their readiness.

Southeast derby debut as Kun Khalifat faces ‘mighty’  Rangers

Over in Enugu, Kun Khalifat FC begin their top-flight journey against Rangers International in what is already being dubbed a Southeast Derby. Based in Owerri, Kun Khalifat are new to the big time, but not lacking confidence after an eye-catching preseason where they stunned Enyimba 3-1 and held Heartland FC to a 1-1 draw.

Despite heavy defeats to Bayelsa United and Bendel Insurance at a preseason tournament held in Yenagoa, the newcomers have shown flashes of what they can bring. Sunday’s clash against the Flying Antelopes will offer the best gauge yet of whether those signs can translate into league results.

Read Also: NPFL: Ikorodu City announces new signings

Rangers themselves are out to redeem their image after a disappointing 10th-place finish last term. Head coach Fidelis Ilechukwu has moved quickly to bolster the squad with names like Waheed Adebayo, Chidozie Iwundu, and returnee Chidiebere Nwobodo all expected to play key roles this term.

Enugu fans will be hopeful that the energy of a home crowd and the experience of their squad will be enough to avoid an opening-day upset. But Kun Khalifat’s fearless approach could make them a tricky proposition.

Old Guards welcome Returning Sides

Beyond the newcomers, several seasoned NPFL clubs will also be looking to start strong:Kano Pillars travel to face Abia Warriors, aiming to reassert their title credentials. They will come up against CAF Confederation Cup campaigners who have bolstered their squad with a blend of young and experienced players as they seek to make a good impression of their debut shot in the CAF inter club competition.

3SC host Bayelsa United in Ibadan in a clash between two sides with contrasting ambitions. The Oluyole Warriors had a disappointing experience last season and they collapsed without trace in the second stanza of the season despite a promising start. A lot of pivotal decisions have been taking including the sacking of the entire technical crew led by Gbenga Ogunbote and the erstwhile management.

Bayelsa United are undergoing a renaissance too after their former coach, Ladan Bosso dumped them for Barau FC. The way the former Flying Eagles boss muscled his way to ensure the Prosperity Boys sealed topflight retention before the final games of the season should be studied.

Though no longer with the team, Bayelsa United must show that the club has the ability to performance post Bosso and after losing to Warri Wolves in the semi-final of the just concluded preseason tournament which they hosted in Yenagoa, the signs are not looking too good.

El-Kanemi Warriors face Bendel Insurance, while Wikki Tourists, back in the top flight again after a few seasons absence, take on Plateau United.

Katsina United will lock horns with another returning side, Warri Wolves, while Kwara United play Ikorodu City.

Niger Tornadoes welcome Nasarawa United, who are spending their second consecutive season in the topflight after relegation two seasons ago and their return last season.

With so many narratives already in motion, this Matchday 1 promises fireworks. Will the promoted sides cause early upsets, or will the experienced campaigners hold firm? One thing is certain—the NPFL is back, and with it, all the drama we’ve come to expect.

MATCHDAY 1 FIXTURES:

Friday, August 22, 2025

Remo Stars 1-1 Rivers United

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Abia Warriors vs Kano Pillars

Wikki Tourists vs Plateau United

Katsina United vs Warri Wolves

Rangers vs Kun Khalifat FC

Kwara United vs Ikorodu City

El-Kanemi vs Insurance

3SC vs Bayelsa United

Barau FC vs Enyimba

Tornadoes vs Nasarawa United

All fixtures kick off by 4:00 PM (Nigerian Time).

Barely hours to the  2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season, Lagos-based club Ikorodu City FC has made notable additions both on and off the pitch.

In a significant move, the club has completed the signing of Liberian international goalkeeper, Derrick Julu, from Watanga FC, two-time champions of the Liberian First Division.

Julu, a current member of the Liberian national team, is expected to add strength and competition in goal as Ikorodu City looks to make a mark in the new season.

Read Also: NFF extends tenure of NPFL, NNL, NLO boards

In addition to bolstering their playing squad, the club has also strengthened its backroom staff with the appointment of former Enyimba, Rivers United, and Flying Eagles goalkeeper Olufemi Thomas to the technical team.

Thomas brings with him years of top-level experience and is set to focus particularly on improving the goalkeeping department.

The double addition of a promising international shot-stopper and a seasoned coach signals Ikorodu City’s serious intent ahead of the new NPFL campaign.

More updates on squad preparations and official fixtures are expected as the seas

For securing a spot in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the Deputy President of the Senate,  Senator Barau I Jibrin,  has gifted players of his club, Barau FC, 35 motorcycles and N17.5m.

He announced the donation yesterday August 12^th,  during a reception in Kano in honour of the club’s players and management.

The club recently gained promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Each of the 35 players was gifted a brand new motorcycle and N500,000 for the feat. The ceremony also witnessed the unveiling of the club’s latest Technical Adviser, Ladan Bosso.

Senator Barau, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,  Ismail Mudashir, showered encomium on the players and the club’s management, challenging them to bring home the Premier League title.

Read Also: Fashola advocates new order for sports at  Alao’s book launch

“There is no doubt the club have witnessed a remarkable achievement within a short period. From Academy to NLO, from NLO to NNL and from there to this great milestone of the Premier League. Your success is a victory for the Nigerian youth. We can’t thank you enough,” he said.

Senator Barau added that his dream is to see the team on the continental stage by next year and some of its players playing in the world’s best international clubs.

He said 25 new players from various clubs and a technical adviser in the NPFL have been engaged to take the club to the next level.

He said: “Nowadays, football is not just a game, but a means of earning a living. We want to take you to the international stage. That is my goal. 

“Some of you may like to play for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and other international clubs. We have created this platform for you to excel in soccer.

“Our new signings are the best in the Nigeria Football League. Some of them are not even from Nigeria. So we have already gone continental. Likewise, our Head Coach is the best,” he added.

Barau, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, told the players, “If you bring the Premier League title, I will reward you with four wheels.”

Earlier, the President and Chairman of the Barau FC, Shawwal Barau Jibrin and Ibrahim Shitu Chanji, commended the Deputy President of the Senate for the tremendous support to the club.

The Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Youths and Sports, Comrade Kabiru Ado Lakwaya, said history will never forget Senator Barau’s positive intervention in the development of the Nigerian youths.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) commiserates with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) following the death of one of their assistant coaches, Akin Olowokere.

Olowokere  reportedly passed on after he slumped on the pitch in the course of his duty on Monday during a training session at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode.

NPFL chairman, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, is saddened by the death of the coach and extends his condolences to Shooting Stars and family of the deceased.

Read Also: Yachine Trophy : Nnadozie celebrates Ballon d’Or nomination

“It is sad to hear of the death of one of the coaches who have made his mark in the game and has just resumed his role at Shooting Stars.

“He was passionate about football and the NPFL and that is why he was part of the Shooting Stars project. We extend our condolences to his family, friends and Shooting Stars,” the NPFL chairman said.

Olowokere was one of the assistant coaches appointed ahead of the new season to work with head coach Nurudeen Aweroro at Shooting Stars.

After four games each and with just one Matchday left, Remo Stars and Ikorodu City have qualified for the finals playoff for the 2025 NPFL Youth League from the Southwest zone.

The two sides recorded emphatic wins in their respective Matchday 4 fixtures to take their points haul to 10 apiece. They had cancelled each other out in a scoreless draw at the resumption from one day break on Thursday.

In the first game of the day, the Lagos side hit Kwara United 3-0 to snuff out their Matchday 3 resurgence. Kwara United had smashed Shooting Stars 3-0 in what was seen as a rally to bid for one of the two tickets from the group.

Read Also: Kunle Soname: Redefining sports administration, philanthropy in Nigeria

David Peter netted twice within five minutes on the 28 and 33 minutes while Gazali Ibrahim finished off the game with his side’s third goal 10 minutes on.

In the game that followed, Remo Stars extended the gap in goals difference with Ikorodu City with a standout 5-0 routing of Sunshine Stars. With both sides tied on 10 points, Daniel Arierhi opened the floodgate of goals just after 17 minutes and Akinocchio Mervielle added the second on 47 minutes. The third goal came off the boots of Saka Yusuf on 67 minutes with Arierhi doubling his tally on 74th. Imram Musa got in the last goal with three minutes left to play.

Shooting Stars continued their dismal run, crashing to a 1-0 defeat to Bendel Insurance. Oshodi Miracle got the lone strike on 10 minutes.

The Ikenne zonal qualifiers will be concluded this weekend  as the two other zonal playoff start in Umuahia and Kano.

Activities to formally flag off the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season will be flagged off with an Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja.

In a letter of invitation to the clubs, the NPFL Chief Operating Officer,  Davidson Owumi stated that the AGM will hold on Monday, July 28 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, (the Old Abuja Sheraton Hotels) while the arrival date for all participants is Sunday,  July 27.

Part of the agenda of the AGM will be the draw ceremony for the fixtures of the new season slated to start on August 22nd.

Read Also: Club Brugge slam 40m Euros on Onyedika

“In addition to the various reports that will be presented at the AGM, we are also going to conduct the framework for the fixtures of the new season,” Owumi told NPFL Media.

Chairman of the Board, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye will lead the meeting with the board members and the 20 clubs that played in the last season. The four promoted clubs will be formally admitted to the NPFL just as the four relegated clubs will be attending their last meeting as part of the elite league.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau is expected to declare the meeting open with a number of ex-international players in attendance to add colour to the draw event.