It is a full cast of fixtures this matchweek in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and another blockbuster Sunday also awaits us with mouthwatering matches that will see bragging rights, form and pride at stake.
The race for points tightens across 10 stadia this gameweek as focus will fall on Port Harcourt, Kano, Owerri, Lafia, Katsina, Lagos, Umuahia and Bauchi where the big guns and struggling sides will vie for honours.
Despite the campaign being in the early stage, every point matters for all 20 clubs.
UNBEATEN STREAKS AT STAKE
Enyimba and Rivers United start this matchweek as the only unbeaten sides. Second-placed Enyimba will face new boys Kun Khalifat FC who return to their Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri for the first time this season after the ground underwent repairs. The People’s Elephant are favourites to get a result in this contest in a stadium that has become a familiar place for them. Last season Enyimba won 3-1 against Heartland, who were relegated to the second tier and the new boys will be wary of that.
Rivers United, with a game in hand, have been untouchable at home in the NPFL in their last 16 matches. They face off-form Bayelsa United in the Niger Delta Derby and every odds points to Finidi George’s men being favourites to win this considering both teams’ form guide in recent games.
SHOOTING STARS FACE BIG TASK IN KANO
Kano Pillars like the other big sides have not enjoyed a cruising start to the season but somehow they have scratched out slim wins at home against Rangers and Kwara United. That now represents a task for Nurudeen Aweroro and his men to take up when they face Pillars at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Sunday. Aweroro’s 3SC have equally shaken off a lethargic start to the campaign by winning their last three matches and will hope they can keep that form going against Sai Masu Gida.
This rivalry is expected to throw up fireworks as both teams are known for their attacking flair. It is guaranteed to also be a tight contest.
NASARAWA UNITED AIM TO STAY TOP
The Solid Miners know that another win this Sunday will continue to keep them at the top of the table. This is also one of the standout matches this gameweek as Mbwas Mangut’s side have been solid at home and in their last five meetings with Rangers in this corresponding fixture, Nasarawa United have won all five.
However, Rangers cannot be written off just yet as they have started finding their rhythm. The Flying Antelopes are unbeaten in their last three matches (W2 D1) with Godwin Obaje playing a central figure, scoring four times in those last three games. Obaje goes into this gameweek as the man in form.
CITY & INSURANCE IN LATE KICKOFF
As usual when Ikorodu City play at home these days, we are guaranteed a late kickoff of night football at the Water Front in Onikan, Lagos. Last season, Bendel Insurance were swept away 3-0 in this same fixture with City producing three different goalscorers in Rivio Ayemwenre, Kelechi Onwe and Toheeb Ajeyigbe in a second half blitz.
Insurance are now under interim head coach, Baldwin Bazuaye after the suspension of Greg Ikhenoba for poor run of results in recent matches. Interestingly, both teams have managed just one win apiece since the start of this campaign, and they will want to bounce back wins.
Other matches will see the champions Remo Stars go up north to face Katsina United. The champions might line up a side that will mean giving some of their big names rest ahead of the CAF Champions League game against South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns but that should not play down their free-flowing style.
Abia Warriors will be keen to stay within touching distance of the top-three when they host El-Kanemi Warriors while Warri Wolves will aim for back-to-back wins after a 1-0 success at Barau FC last matchday.
Newcomers Barau FC head to Jos to face Plateau United in what is deemed a Herculean task, and in Bauchi, one of the promoted sides, Wikki Tourists face Kwara United after four matches without a win.
At the end of the late kickoff in Lagos on Sunday we will know who takes the spotlight in this matchweek.
MATCHDAY 8 FIXTURES
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Katsina United v Remo Stars
Abia Warriors v El-Kanemi Warriors
Rivers United v Bayelsa United
Warri Wolves v Niger Tornadoes
Plateau United v Barau FC
Wikki Tourists v Kwara United
Kano Pillars v 3SC
Kun Khalifat FC v Enyimba
Nasarawa United v Rangers
Ikorodu City v Bendel Insurance (5:30pm)