Nigeria Premier Football League kickoff - 2025-26 season officially underway
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
Remo Stars are out to defend their league title
Remo Stars did the impossible in the previous Nigeria Premier Football League season. Finishing at the top with a seven-point lead, they managed to secure their first league title in club history. This achievement also granted them a spot in the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds.
Daniel Ogunmodede's men are set to begin their title defense with a home match against Rivers United on Friday. For insights on this match, head on to our Remo Stars vs Rivers United prediction.
Remo Stars' rise to prominence has been well-reported over the past seasons. Securing promotion to Nigeria's top flight in the 2021-22 season, they quickly asserted themselves as title contenders until their breakthrough in the previous season, which saw them being crowned champions.
The real question now is, can they defend their title and give a good account of themselves in the CAF Champions League?
Rivers United: A potential threat to the defending champions
Rivers United are not a side to be underestimated in the 2025-26 Nigeria Premier Football League season. This is a team that managed to finish as runners-up in the previous campaign and were seven points adrift of being crowned champions.
Rivers are one-time champions of the Nigerian Premier Football League. The last time they managed to clinch the league title, though, was in the 2021-22 season.
Finidi George's men are out to kickstart the current campaign on a positive note. Their opponents in the curtain raiser are defending champions Remo Stars. In the previous season, they avoided defeat against this opponent, securing one win and a draw. In fact, they have lost just once in 12 head-to-head meetings.
Enyimba: The Peoples' Elephant longing for the glory days
Enyimba is the most successful club in the Nigerian Premier Football League. This is a side that boasts nine league titles to its name and is aiming to add a tenth this season.
The Peoples' Elephant have hit rock bottom, though, with their last league title coming in the 2018-19 season. In the current campaign, they have big ambitions, and that's to bring back the glory days.
In the previous season, the nine-time and two-time African champions finished in sixth place with 55 points. After the conclusion of the 2024-25 Nigeria Premier Football League, 22 players were released. However, they have managed to patch the hole with 12 new signings to strengthen their squad.
Stanley Eguma's charges are set to lock horns with debutants Barau FC in the league opener at General Sani Abacha Stadium.
Fixtures to watch out for in matchday one
In matchday one, a total of ten fixtures will be played. Below we have listed the available matches that are set to take place between Friday and Sunday.
- Remo Stars vs Rivers United (22-08-2025)
- Niger Tornadoes vs Nasarawa United (24-08-2025)
- Kawasaki United vs Ikorodu City (24-08-2025)
- Abia Warriors vs Kano Pillars (24-08-2025)
- Wikki Tourists vs Plateau United (24-08-2025)
- Enugu Rangers vs Kun Khalifat (24-08-2025)
- Katsina United vs Warri Wolves (24-08-2025)
- El-Kanemi Warriors vs Bendel (24-08-2025)
- Shooting Stars vs Bayelsa United (24-08-2025)
- Barau vs Enyimba (24-08-2025)
