₦airaland Forum

2025/2026 NPFL season



Here are the teams participating in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League:

- *Retained Teams:*

1.Abia Warriors*:
Umuahia, Umuahia Township Stadium (5,000 capacity)
2. Bendel Insurance*:
Benin City, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium (12,000 capacity)
3.Bayelsa United
Yenagoa, Samson Siasia Stadium (5,000 capacity)
4. El-Kanemi Warriors
Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Stadium (10,000 capacity)
5. Enugu Rangers
Enugu, Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium (22,000 capacity)
6. Enyimba
Aba, Enyimba International Stadium (16,000 capacity)
7.Ikorodu City
Ikorodu, Lagos, Onikan Stadium (10,000 capacity)
8. Kano Pillars
Kano, Sani Abacha Stadium (16,000 capacity)
9.Katsina United*: Katsina, Muhammadu Dikko Stadium (35,000 capacity)
10. Kwara United
Ilorin, Kwara State Stadium (18,000 capacity)
11.Nasarawa United
Lafia, Lafia Township Stadium (10,000 capacity)
12. Niger Tornadoes
Minna, Bako Kontagora Stadium (5,000 capacity)
13. Plateau United
Jos, New Jos Stadium (44,000 capacity)
14. Remo Stars
Ikenne, Remo Stars Stadium (5,000 capacity)
15. Rivers United
Port Harcourt, Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium (40,000 capacity)
16. Shooting Stars
Ibadan, Lekan Salami Stadium (15,000 capacity)

- *Promoted Teams:*
17. Barau
Dambatta, Sani Abacha Stadium (16,000 capacity)
18. Kun Khalifat
Owerri, Dan Anyiam Stadium (10,000 capacity)
19. Warri Wolves*: Warri
20. Wikki Tourists
Bauchi, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium

These teams will compete in the 54th season of Nigeria's top-flight association football league, which kicks off on August 22, 2025, and runs until May 24, 2026 ¹.

Here are the results of Week 1 matches in the 2025/26 NPFL season week 1 results

- *El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0 Bendel Insurance
- *Bayelsa United FC*: 1-0 Shooting Stars FC
- *Wikki Tourists 1-0 Plateau United FC
- *Abia Warriors 1-0 Kano Pillars FC
- *Warri Wolves 1-0 Katsina United
- *Remo Stars 1-1 Rivers United
- *Barau FC 0-0 Enyimba FC
- *Enugu Rangers 0-0 Kun Khalifat FC
- *Kwara United FC 0-0 against Ikorodu City F

Nigeria Premier Football League 2024/2025 Season


See all highlight from last season

https://www.nairaland.com/8201087/nigeria-premier-football-league-2024

Some notable performances include

Biggest Win
Warri Wolves FC's 1-0 win over Katsina United FC and El-Kanemi Warriors FC's 2-0 win over Bendel Insurance FC

First Goal Scorer
Okon Aniekemo of Bayelsa United FC

First Penalty Scorer
Lius Dadong of Wikki Tourists FC

First Red Card
Temple Emekayi of Rivers United FC

NPFL week 2 games

Kun Khalifat vs Remo Stars

31 Aug
Ikorodu City vs El Kanemi Warriors

31 Aug
Kano Pillar vs Wikki Tourist

31 Aug
Warri Wolves FC vs Enugu Rangers


31 Aug
Bayelsa United vs Barau
31 Aug
Enyimba vs Niger Tornadoes

31 Aug
Nasarawa United vs Abia Warriors
31 Aug
Plateau United vs Katsina United

30 Aug
Rivers United FC vs Kwara United

30 Aug
Bendel Insurance vs Shooting Stars

So let's go there


Nigeria league is gathering momentum

Week 2

Nice one Robosky02

FULL TIME MATCH DAY TWO RESULTS

Bayelsa United FC 2-0 Barau FC

Nasarawa United 1-0 Abia Warriors

Enyimba FC 1-0 Niger Tornadoes

Rivers United 1-0 Kwara United

Kano Pillars 1-1 Wikki Tourists

Plateau United 1-2 Katsina United

Warri Wolves 2-0 Rangers Int'l

Ikorodu City FC 0-0 El-Kanemi Warriors

robosky02:
FULL TIME MATCH DAY TWO RESULTS

Bayelsa United FC 2-0 Barau FC

Nasarawa United 1-0 Abia Warriors

Enyimba FC 1-0 Niger Tornadoes

Rivers United 1-0 Kwara United

Kano Pillars 1-1 Wikki Tourists

Plateau United 1-2 Katsina United

Warri Wolves 2-0 Rangers Int'l

Ikorodu City FC 0-0 El-Kanemi Warriors

Impressive, one away win this week.

guobe:
Impressive, one away win this week.

I honestly think the league is gradually improving

robosky02:
I honestly think the league is gradually improving

It is but alot of things still need to be done so as to catch up with the South African league and the North Africans.

guobe:
It is but alot of things still need to be done so as to catch up with the South African league and the North Africans.

The problem is our people have refused to learn

See am not even talking about South Africa
See Morocco that just started yesterday
We can see the devidence




The good thing is we have the raw talent

Developing the Nigerian football league requires a collective, strategic effort focused on improving infrastructure, professionalizing club and league management, fostering grassroots and youth development, and attracting investment and sponsorship. Key steps include establishing robust youth academies, revitalizing institutional football competitions, enhancing marketing and broadcasting, transitioning to private ownership, ensuring better management, and improving facilities to create a sustainable, competitive, and commercially viable league system that can thrive both domestically and internationally.

1. Professionalize Management and Investment

Private Sector Partnership:
Transitioning from government-funded clubs to private ownership and management is crucial for growth and attracting investment.
Attract Sponsors and Investors:
A well-marketed and professionally run league is more attractive to sponsors and investors, leading to increased revenue and improved financial standing.
Improve Club Management:
Clubs need professional management to become economically prosperous and sustain themselves.

2. Enhance Player Development
Youth Academy League:

Establish a dedicated youth academy league for all NPFL clubs to develop talent for the national team and bridge the gap between grassroots football and professional teams.
Strengthen Tertiary Institutions:
Revitalize university and polytechnic football associations to create high-quality competitions that attract scouts and provide scholarships for aspiring players.
Focus on Grassroots:
Implement structured football programs in primary schools, supported by certified coaches, to nurture interest and fundamental skills at the earliest stage.


3. Upgrade Infrastructure and Facilities
Invest in Facilities: Both government and clubs must invest in improving football infrastructure, including stadiums, to attract fans, sponsors, and talent.


4. Boost League Competitiveness and Visibility
Promote the League:
Implement effective marketing and broadcasting strategies to increase visibility, attract fans, and build a strong brand for the NPFL.


International Best Practices:
Align the league with international best practices in areas like player welfare, competition structure, and overall governance.
Encourage Away Games:
Introduce strategies, like adjusted point systems, to incentivize more competitive away games and improve overall balance.


5. Foster Stakeholder Collaboration
Unified Vision:
All stakeholders, including administrators, sponsors, club owners, coaches, and fans, must align with a unified vision for the sport to drive its development.


Culture of Excellence:
Foster a culture of excellence, integrity, and competition through initiatives like awards and recognition ceremonies.



Cc: guobe

robosky02:
The problem is our people have refused to learn

See am not even talking about South Africa
See Morocco that just started yesterday
We can see the devidence




The good thing is we have the raw talent

They keep doing same things and expect changes, it's not done.
The basics have to be put in place before we can dominate the game in Africa.
If we don't lay a good foundation structurally we won't get there.

robosky02:
Developing the Nigerian football league requires a collective, strategic effort focused on improving infrastructure, professionalizing club and league management, fostering grassroots and youth development, and attracting investment and sponsorship. Key steps include establishing robust youth academies, revitalizing institutional football competitions, enhancing marketing and broadcasting, transitioning to private ownership, ensuring better management, and improving facilities to create a sustainable, competitive, and commercially viable league system that can thrive both domestically and internationally.

1. Professionalize Management and Investment

Private Sector Partnership:
Transitioning from government-funded clubs to private ownership and management is crucial for growth and attracting investment.
Attract Sponsors and Investors:
A well-marketed and professionally run league is more attractive to sponsors and investors, leading to increased revenue and improved financial standing.
Improve Club Management:
Clubs need professional management to become economically prosperous and sustain themselves.

2. Enhance Player Development
Youth Academy League:

Establish a dedicated youth academy league for all NPFL clubs to develop talent for the national team and bridge the gap between grassroots football and professional teams.
Strengthen Tertiary Institutions:
Revitalize university and polytechnic football associations to create high-quality competitions that attract scouts and provide scholarships for aspiring players.
Focus on Grassroots:
Implement structured football programs in primary schools, supported by certified coaches, to nurture interest and fundamental skills at the earliest stage.


3. Upgrade Infrastructure and Facilities
Invest in Facilities: Both government and clubs must invest in improving football infrastructure, including stadiums, to attract fans, sponsors, and talent.


4. Boost League Competitiveness and Visibility
Promote the League:
Implement effective marketing and broadcasting strategies to increase visibility, attract fans, and build a strong brand for the NPFL.


International Best Practices:
Align the league with international best practices in areas like player welfare, competition structure, and overall governance.
Encourage Away Games:
Introduce strategies, like adjusted point systems, to incentivize more competitive away games and improve overall balance.


5. Foster Stakeholder Collaboration
Unified Vision:
All stakeholders, including administrators, sponsors, club owners, coaches, and fans, must align with a unified vision for the sport to drive its development.


Culture of Excellence:
Foster a culture of excellence, integrity, and competition through initiatives like awards and recognition ceremonies.



Cc: guobe

Perfect, you nailed it.Its as if you spoke my mind.

guobe:
Perfect, you nailed it.Its as if you spoke my mind.

See in a short time we have see Morocco taken over both in make and female football

See CHAN they just won it because thier league is now doing well
We use to see Egypt Tunisia and Algeria
But today everything north Africa is Moroccan football


In summary Morocco did


1. Facility improvement
2. Players recruitment and development
3. Professionalism and exposure to international tournament by hosting as many competition as they can

robosky02:
See in a short time we have see Morocco taken over both in make and female football

See CHAN they just won it because thier league is now doing well
We use to see Egypt Tunisia and Algeria
But today everything north Africa is Moroccan football


In summary Morocco did


1. Facility improvement
2. Players recruitment and development
3. Professionalism and exposure to international tournament by hosting as many competition as they can

Can you do a white paper on this and send to NFF if they will listen.
These are the basics I am talking about and so much more.

guobe:
Can you do a white paper on this and send to NFF if they will listen.
These are the basics I am talking about and so much more.

It's difficult to speak to people who don't want change

We keep recycling the adminstrators
We need new minds that are open to experiment new ways of doing thing first...


Example
Do you know we use to have an NFF before Amaju era that have a strong developmental program

We have NFF u13, U15, and U17
The program seek to groom home grown players to serve as a feeder team to the U17 and U20 and super eagles and the teams in the league

That program was very effective
It gave birth to the bulk of today super eagle

We saw kelechi iheanacho and nwakali brother's pass through the u13 to u17. The pictures are there
They served as feeder team to league teams and export material for forign clubs too.

But what do we have today
1. No national youth program. All we do now is wait to hear a young Nigerian name play for Liverpool and we start struggling to convince him to come to play for Nigéria

2. The league is full of old and tired legs
No club in Nigeria has a feeder team.
All they do is keep recycling old players from enyimba to Kano Pillar to Rivers United.

If our league clubs are mandated to all have feeder teams and encourage to play them. Even foreign clubs will come to buy them straight

And the league will be competitive. Not waiting for retiaree like Ahmed Musa and Idaye to bost our league

I can't release all the strategy here if they want the how let them consult me

robosky02:
It's difficult to speak to people who don't want change

We keep recycling the adminstrators
We need new minds that are open to experiment new ways of doing thing first...


Example
Do you know we use to have an NFF before Amaju era that have a strong developmental program

We have NFF u13, U15, and U17
The program seek to groom home grown players to serve as a feeder team to the U17 and U20 and super eagles and the teams in the league

That program was very effective
It gave birth to the bulk of today super eagle

We saw kelechi iheanacho and nwakali brother's pass through the u13 to u17. The pictures are there
They served as feeder team to league teams and export material for forign clubs too.

But what do we have today
1. No national youth program. All we do now is wait to hear a young Nigerian name play for Liverpool and we start struggling to convince him to come to play for Nigéria

2. The league is full of old and tired legs
No club in Nigeria has a feeder team.
All they do is keep recycling old players from enyimba to Kano Pillar to Rivers United.

If our league clubs are mandated to all have feeder teams and encourage to play them. Even foreign clubs will come to buy them straight

And the league will be competitive. Not waiting for retiaree like Ahmed Musa and Idaye to bost our league

I can't release all the strategy here if they want the how let them consult me

You are really vast in this game.kudos man

Npfl week 3 matches

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Warriors vs Rivers Utd
Enugu vs Plateau Utd
Wikki vs Abia
Enyimba vs Nasarawa Utd
Remo Stars vs Warri
Kwara Utd vs Kun Khalifat
Shooting Stars vs Ikorodu City
Katsina Utd vs Kano Pillars
Tornadoes vs Bayelsa Utd
Barau vs Bendel Ins.

robosky02:
Npfl week 3 matches

Sunday, September 7, 2025

Warriors vs Rivers Utd
Enugu vs Plateau Utd
Wikki vs Abia
Enyimba vs Nasarawa Utd
Remo Stars vs Warri
Kwara Utd vs Kun Khalifat
Shooting Stars vs Ikorodu City
Katsina Utd vs Kano Pillars
Tornadoes vs Bayelsa Utd
Barau vs Bendel Ins.

Nice one

Week 4 results



NPFL match day results

Abia Warriors - Katsina Utd 1:0
Bayelsa United - Enyimba 0:2
Kano Pillars - Rangers Int'l 1:0
Kun Khalifa - El Kanemi 3:1
Nasarawa - Wikki Tourist 1:0
Plateau United - Remo Stars 2:0
Rivers United - Shooting 1:0
Warri Wolves - Kwara 0:0
Ikorodu City - Barau 2:0

robosky02:
Week 4 results



NPFL match day results

Abia Warriors - Katsina Utd 1:0
Bayelsa United - Enyimba 0:2
Kano Pillars - Rangers Int'l 1:0
Kun Khalifa - El Kanemi 3:1
Nasarawa - Wikki Tourist 1:0
Plateau United - Remo Stars 2:0
Rivers United - Shooting 1:0
Warri Wolves - Kwara 0:0
Ikorodu City - Barau 2:0

Nice one.An away win for Enyimba in Bayelsa

guobe:
Nice one.An away win for Enyimba in Bayelsa

League is getting better

robosky02:
League is getting better

What are they doing differently now?

guobe:
What are they doing differently now?

Formerly the home team must win

An away team that mistakenly wins will be sure to receive beating of thier life


Now eyimba can go away and win and walk away

robosky02:
Formerly the home team must win

An away team that mistakenly wins will be sure to receive beating of thier life


Now eyimba can go away and win and walk away

Ok ,positive in that aspect.

Week 5 Results


Bayelsa United - Nasarawa 1:2
El Kanemi - Warri Wolves 1:0
Enyimba - Bendel 3:2
Niger Tornadoes - Ikorodu City 4:2
Shooting - Kun Khalifa 2:1





Enyimba Rose From Their Ruins To Maintain Unbeaten Run... Now Top Of The Table 🇳🇬🦅

Enyimba had to come back twice before beating a very articulated Bendel Insurance.

Your NPFL match day results 🔥

Week 6 Results



FULL RESULTS
Wikki 2-2 Rangers
Wolves 1-2 3SC
Kun Khalifat 1-3 Barau
Nasarawa Utd 2-0 Katsina Utd
Ikorodu City 1-1 Enyimba



Shooting Stars and Barau FC recorded away wins on matchday six of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

In Ozoro, Shooting Stars recorded their first win on the road this season, edging past Warri Wolves 2-1.


At the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Barau FC beat their hosts Kun Khalifat FC 3-1.

It was Barau FC’s first win in the NPFL this season.

robosky02:
Week 6 Results



FULL RESULTS
Wikki 2-2 Rangers
Wolves 1-2 3SC
Kun Khalifat 1-3 Barau
Nasarawa Utd 2-0 Katsina Utd
Ikorodu City 1-1 Enyimba



Shooting Stars and Barau FC recorded away wins on matchday six of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

In Ozoro, Shooting Stars recorded their first win on the road this season, edging past Warri Wolves 2-1.


At the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Barau FC beat their hosts Kun Khalifat FC 3-1.

It was Barau FC’s first win in the NPFL this season.

Nice one.couple of away wins...

Week 7 results


Warriors Unleash Terr0r At Kwara United... As Wolves Devour Barau🇳🇬🦅

Your NPFL match day results 🥶

Barau - Warri Wolves 0:1
Bayelsa United - Ikorodu City 1:1
Enyimba - Rivers United 0:0
Kwara - Abia Warriors 0:1
Niger Tornadoes - Kun Khalifa 1:1
Shooting - Plateau United 1:0