Defending champions Remo Stars will begin their title defence in the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season with a high-profile encounter against 2022 champions Rivers United on August 22 in Ikenne.
The fixture was unveiled during the official draw ceremony held on Monday at the Abuja Continental Hotel, where former internationals Garba Lawal and Chikelue Iloenyosi joined NPFL officials to conduct the balloting for the new season’s matchups.
Several exciting fixtures are lined up for the opening weekend. Abia Warriors will host Kano Pillars in Umuahia, while Wikki Tourists face Plateau United in Bauchi. Enugu Rangers are set to take on newly promoted Khun Khalifat, a team making waves with big ambitions.
In other key fixtures, Barau FC, another promoted side, face a challenging debut against former league champions Enyimba, and Shooting Stars will welcome Bayelsa United in Ibadan. Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes play Nasarawa United, El-Kanemi Warriors host Bendel Insurance, and Kwara United face Ikorodu City in Ilorin.
NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye expressed optimism about the upcoming season, crediting the return of experienced Super Eagles stars with boosting league attendance and engagement last term.
“There was a significant increase in attendance as our league gained traction, especially with the return of ex-internationals like Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi to Kano Pillars, Brown Ideye to Enyimba, and Godwin Obaje to Rangers,” Elegbeleye noted.
Representing NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, the Federation’s General Secretary, praised the league’s improved calendar discipline. He also revealed that the NFF has begun training referees for the potential introduction of VAR in the NPFL.
“We sent a number of referees to Morocco for VAR training as part of our broader reforms. The NFF is satisfied with the scheduling discipline seen last season and remains committed to further improvements,” Sanusi said.
