AFCON 2025
The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicked off in thrilling fashion on Sunday, with newcomers making a bold statement and traditional heavyweights struggling to impose themselves across nine opening-day fixtures.
In Umuahia, Abia Warriors edged Kano Pillars 1–0 thanks to Paul Samson’s first-half strike, while Pillars thought they had equalized late on, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
At Ibadan, Bayelsa United silenced the home crowd as Kehinde Lawal’s 60th-minute effort handed them a shock 1–0 win over Shooting Star. Elsewhere, Warri Wolves continued the trend of away upsets with Igbunnu Evwierhurhoma grabbing the winner in their 1–0 triumph over Katsina United.
Promoted sides showed their mettle across the board. Wikki Tourists marked their NPFL return with a 1–0 win over Plateau United, secured by Luis Dadong’s penalty, while Barau FC held eight-time champions Enyimba to a goalless draw in Kaduna. Another debutant, Kun Khalifat FC, also earned a valuable point away to Rangers International after a tense 0–0 stalemate in Enugu.
In Maiduguri, El-Kanemi Warriors got off to a flying start with a convincing 2–0 win over Bendel Insurance, courtesy of goals from Al’amin Umar and Daddy Abdulrahman. Meanwhile, Kwara United and Ikorodu City battled to a cagey goalless draw in Ilorin.
Defending champions Remo Stars were held to a 1–1 draw by Rivers United in one of the standout fixtures of the day, underlining just how competitive the new campaign promises to be.
Full Results – NPFL Matchday 1
Abia Warriors 1–0 Kano Pillars
Barau FC 0–0 Enyimba
El-Kanemi Warriors 2–0 Bendel Insurance
Kwara United 0–0 Ikorodu City
Rangers International 0–0 Kun Khalifat FC
Shooting Stars 0–1 Bayelsa United
Wikki Tourists 1–0 Plateau United
Katsina United 0–1 Warri Wolves
Remo Stars 1–1 Rivers United
