By George Akpayen
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) returns this weekend and for the second successive campaign, the opening fixture will take place in the Southwest of the country, Ibadan precisely, with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) playing hosts to newcomers Inter Lagos this Friday.
Shooting Stars begin the season under a new head coach/technical adviser in Salisu Yusuf after Nurudeen Aweroro was cut loose just two weeks before the start of the campaign. The Oluyole Warriors face Inter Lagos amid high-profile departures like Ismail Ayodele, Tijani Kabiru and last season’s top assist provider, Ayobami Junior.
They have strengthened their playing personnel with Taheer Abubakar, Kalu Nweke, Albert Kovarh, Tamuno Kalio, Issa Yusuf and Aule Johnmark in the off-season.
Inter Lagos, on the other hand, have been largely quiet with their recruitment. However the highlight of the newcomers’ off-season activities was their 0-0 draw in a pre-season game with Shooting Stars on August 4.
Shakiru Biodun Giwa will rely mostly on the playing personnel that earned them their first promotion to the top-flight as Shooting Stars hope to shake off their lethargic start to the campaign in the last five seasons in which they have managed just one win (D3 L1).
RANGERS BEGIN TITLE DEFENCE ON NEUTRAL TURF
Not far away from Ibadan, the titleholders Rangers International will play hosts to Katsina United at the MKO Sports Arena in Abeokuta, their adopted home owing to renovation work at their Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium ground in Enugu.
The Flying Antelopes have won two titles in the last three season to underscore their strength. Fidelis Ilechukwu has brought in Azeez Falolu, Ifeanyi Okechukwu, Folarin Temitope, Abuchi Okeke and Chimezie Sunday as they will compete in three fronts, NPFL, President Federation Cup and CAF Champions League.
Katsina United have a game on their hands this Sunday as they have failed to in their last four head-to-head meetings with Rangers (D2 L2). Their head coach, Azeez Audu Mohammed will bank on new-signings, Luis Dadong, Ubong Essien, Joshua Akpan, Samson Obi, Francis Koroma and Michael Ibe Okoro to push for a result on the opening day.
OGUNMODEDE STARTS ERA AT KANO PILLARS
Former NPFL-winning coach, Daniel ‘Ijaball’ Ogunmodede, begins life at Kano Pillars and his first test is a trip to Ilorin where his team go up against Kwara United. He will seek to guide Kano Pillars to challenhe for the title, at the least this season but first comes the Harmony Boys.
Kwara United have only lost once in their last 17 head-to-head home meetings with Sai Masu Gida (W14 D2). Major arrivals like Obed Ponkab, Benjamin Jack, Ouattara Khalifa, Anthony Nnamdi, Ada Adam Umar and Alex Jerry should have a say in this fixture against Ogunmodede’s men.
BIG GAME IN THE GARDEN CITY
Last season’s runners-up Rivers United start their campaign at home. In the last five seasons, the Pride of Rivers have been undefeated in their opening matchday fixtures (W1 D4). Rivers United head coach/technical manager Finidi George has seen the arrivals of major signings in Chikamso Amaefula, James Ekebuike, Alex Oyowah, Ubong Williams, Imo Obot, Ekene Awazie, Blessed Iyamu, Clinton Andy and Shehu Abdulrasheed Dabai.
The depth of Rivers United squad should be a worry for Plateau United head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote. He would want his side to avoid the double defeat they suffered last season. This contest is expected to be tight from the outset to the end.
THE OLD BENDEL DERBY
The opening day gets more interesting when Bendel Insurance go up against Warri Wolves in the Old Bendel Derby. In their last six head-to-head meetings, both teams have won two apiece, and drawn the other two fixtures which sets this up as finely balanced.
Bendel Insurance head coach Kennedy Boboye who will take charge of his 31st game in charge of the Benin City side will be keen to impress by starting the campaign with a win. His Wolves opposition, Hassan Abdallah will also eye a good start.
PROMOTED SIDES GO HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Pantami Stadium in Gombe plays host to promoted sides, Doma United and Sporting Lagos. Both clubs make returns to the top division from the second tier. Two seasons ago when both clubs met in the league, they cancelled themselves out over the two meetings without scoring.
It will be exciting to see what both clubs will bring to this campaign.
OTHER MATCHES
Ikorodu City will host one of the four promoted sides, Ranchers Bees at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, Lagos. Last two seasons, City have been consistent finishing in fourth place. Usman Abd’Allah and his Bees will need more than a performance to take a result away from the Arena.
Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat FC who escaped the drop in miraculous fashion square up at the Enyimba Stadium and Barau FC will play hosts to Nasarawa United at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
Nine-time champions Enyimba, who have been quiet in the off-season window, make the trip to Minna where they will play Niger Tornadoes.
MATCHDAY 1
Friday, August 28, 2026
3SC v Inter Lagos
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Ikorodu City v Ranchers Bees
Abia Warriors v Kun Khalifat
Barau FC v Nasarawa United
Bendel Insurance v Warri Wolves
Rangers v Katsina United
Rivers United v Plateau United
Kwara United v Kano Pillars
Niger Tornadoes v Enyimba
Doma United v Sporting Lagos