NPFL Fixtures, Programme & Schedule: Struggling Enyimba welcome Enugu Rangers in massive derby

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NPFL Fixtures, Programme & Schedule: Struggling Enyimba welcome Enugu Rangers in massive derby

The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season is still in its infancy, but the early battles are already heating up as the competition heads into Matchweek 8.

Reigning champions Remo Stars are looking to protect their crown, but the likes of Enyimba, Enugu Rangers, Rivers United and a resurgent Shooting Stars are circling with serious intent. At the same time, several clubs are already locked in fights for survival in the top flight.

Remo Stars’ maiden league title last season has raised expectations in Ikenne, yet the challenge ahead looks even tougher with Nigeria’s traditional heavyweights desperate to reclaim dominance. The season promises a gripping mix of rivalries, dramatic encounters, and fresh talent making their mark across the country’s stadiums.

NPFL 2024/25: All you need to know about results, fixtures & programme schedule
Photo by IMAGO

With fierce rivalries producing dramatic encounters and emerging talents continuing to make their mark, fans can expect a thrilling season across Nigeria’s most iconic stadiums.

When did the NPFL season start?

The campaign officially began on Friday, 22 August, with champions Remo Stars opening their title defence in a thrilling 2–2 draw against Rivers United at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, where the Ikenne-based club will host their home matches while their home ground undergoes refurbishment.

The rest of the opening fixtures were played two days later, on Sunday, 24 August.

NPFL Fixtures & Schedule

Matchday 14 delivered another round of twists in a season that refuses to settle, with Kano Pillars grabbing the headlines after finally ending their barren run. Playing in Katsina, their temporary exile, Pillars stunned high-flying Ikorodu City 2-1 to halt both their own seven-game winless slide and the visitors’ eight-match unbeaten streak. 

Rabiu Ali rolled back the years with a third-minute opener before Olakunle Alaka doubled the lead half an hour later. Ikorodu City threatened a comeback when Joseph Arumala nodded home in first-half added time, but they never found a way back after the break.

The loss dropped them from first to second, with Nasarawa United reclaiming top spot by the end of the weekend. For Pillars, though, the victory changes little: they remain bottom with nine points, weighed down by a three-point deduction and a home ban that continues to strip them of any sense of normalcy.

Elsewhere, Enyimba’s troubles deepened in Ilorin as they were beaten 3-2 by Katsina United in a breathless contest. Jamilu Yusuf powered Katsina ahead with a header shortly before the break, and Uche Collins made it 2-0 early in the second half after a neat setup from Azeez Falolu. Enyimba rallied late, a pattern in recent weeks but could not salvage the game.

The People’s Elephant have now won just once in eight matches and sit 14th, a precarious three points above the drop zone. Katsina, meanwhile, climbed to eighth as they find their feet despite their own relocation to Ilorin.

At the top end, Nasarawa United restored order with a comfortable 3-0 win over El-Kanemi in Lafia, returning to first place on 27 points. The defeat sent El-Kanemi down to 12th. Defending champions Remo Stars also continued their resurgence with a 2-0 victory over Barau, their second win in four days, pushing them into the top half with a game still in hand.

DateHome teamScoreAway team
23 NovWikki Tourist1-1Bayelsa United
23 NovNasarawa United3-0El Kanemi
23 NovKwara United0-0Shooting Stars
23 NovEnugu Rangers1-0Niger Tornadoes
23 NovRemo Stars2-0Barau
23 NovAbia Warriors0-0Bendel Insurance
23 NovWarri Wolves1-1Kun Khalifat
24 NovKano Pillars2-1Ikorodu City
24 NovKatsina United3-2Enyimba
PPPlateau UnitedPPRivers United

As Matchweek 15 approaches, the spotlight falls on Aba where Enyimba welcome Enugu Rangers in a fixture that could define their response to a difficult run of form. The People’s Elephant have stumbled in recent weeks and will see this as a chance to steady themselves against a Rangers side chasing consistency.

Katsina United, buoyed by their thrilling win last time out, head to Yenagoa to face Bayelsa United with hopes of sustaining their upward momentum.

Kano Pillars will not be in action this weekend, with their meeting against Rivers United postponed due to the Pride of Rivers’ CAF Champions League commitments.

Meanwhile, in Lagos, Ikorodu City prepare for a heavyweight contest against Abia Warriors, a clash that could carry significant weight in the battle for continental positions if both sides maintain their early-season push.

Date HomeAwayTime
29 NovWarri WolvesNasarawa United16:00
30 NovShooting StarsEl Kanemi16:00
30 NovBarauKwara United16:00
30 NovNiger TornadoesRemo Stars16:00
30 NovEnyimbaEnugu Rangers16:00
30 NovBayelsa UnitedKatsina United16:00
30 NovBendel InsuranceWikki Tourist16:00
30 NovIkorodu CityAbia Warriors16:00
30 NovRivers UnitedKano Pillars16:00
30 NovKun KhalifatPlateau United16:00

Where to watch NPFL matches

Fans can follow all the drama of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) live, with official broadcast partner Propel Sports Africa providing global streaming access throughout the 2025/26 season.

Key stakeholder GTI Asset Management & Trust Limited has confirmed that live-streaming arrangements are fully secured, ensuring supporters at home and abroad never miss a moment of the action.

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