The Nigeria National League which is the feeder league to the Nigeria Professional Football League will kick off across the country on Saturday and Sunday as 32 teams across two subdivisions target the four available slots into for promotion into the NPFL.

The previous season saw the league played in abridged form with four groups of eight, with the winners of each group (ABS, Kastina Utd, Remo stars and Gombe Utd) gaining promotion to the NPFL, with a 'super 4' tournament played at the end of the season to determine the winner of the league.

Former NPFL campaigners, Warri wolves, Ikorodu United, Giwa FC and Heartland were relegated at the end of Last season's NPFL and the quartet would be looking for a quick return to the top flight. However, they would face stiff competition from regular competitors in the lower league who fell short of qualifications in recent years.

The likes of Gateway united, Kwara united, Kaduna united, Bendel insurance and Kogi Utd are all targeting a return to the top flight after years of absence while Crown FC, First bank are inching closer to a debut in the NPFL.

Week 1 fixtures of the NNL

Group A

Adamawa United vs Yobe Desert Stars.
Bida Lions (Afe-Babalola) vs Sokoto United.
FC Taraba vs Kwara United.
FC Zamfara vs Kogi United.
FRSC FC vs Kaduna United.
Giwa FC vs Jigawa GS.
Abuja vs Mighty Jets.

Group B

Bayelsa United vs Osun United.
Abia Comets vs Warri Wolves.
Akwa Starlets vs Unicem Rovers.
AS Racine vs Papilo FC.
Insurance FC vs My People FC.
Crown FC vs Ikorodu United.
Delta Force vs Heartland FC.
First Bank vs Go Round FC.
Dreams FC (Nnewi United) vs Gateway United.

CC: LALASTICLALA, MYND44,SEUN.

Source: http://cheapgoals.com/nigeria-national-league-returns-ex-npfl-champions-seek-promotion-minnows-target-upset