The 2025–26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicked off with drama, tight contests, and two crucial away wins as Warri Wolves and Bayelsa United made the biggest statements of the opening round.
Defending champions Remo Stars began their title defence on Friday evening with a 1-1 draw against Rivers United in Abeokuta.
That set the tone for a competitive weekend, with eight of the remaining nine fixtures played simultaneously on Sunday afternoon.
The standout result came in Ibadan, where Shooting Stars were undone 1-0 by Bayelsa United.
Kehinde Lawal rose highest on 30 minutes to head home the decisive goal, silencing the Lekan Salami Stadium and handing Bayelsa a perfect start to the campaign.
In Katsina, Wolves showed patience before striking late through Igbunnu Evwierhurhoma, whose 76th-minute finish was enough to secure maximum points against Katsina United.
It was one of the hardest-fought victories and showed the Warri side’s intent to push higher this term.
Elsewhere, Abia Warriors edged a dramatic clash with Kano Pillars. Paul Samson netted the winning goal for the hosts on 35 minutes, but the game ended in controversy when Pillars thought they had levelled in stoppage time, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Wikki Tourists also opened with a win, as Luis Dadong converted a penalty just before half-time to down Plateau United 1-0 in Bauchi.
El-Kanemi Warriors, back in the topflight, produced a strong display at home to claim a 2-0 victory over Bendel Insurance. It was the biggest winning margin of matchday one and it catapults the Borno warlords to the top of the NPFL table.
Al’amin Umar put them ahead from the spot early in the second half before Daddy Abdulrahman doubled the advantage on 66 minutes. Even a late red card for Zayyad Musa did not stop the Maiduguri club from sealing a 2-0 win.
Other newly promoted sides found life a bit tougher.
Barau held nine-time champions Enyimba to a goalless draw, while Kun Khalifat earned a creditable point away at Enugu Rangers.
In Ilorin, Federation Cup winners Kwara United and Lagos-based Ikorodu City also shared a cagey 0-0.
The weekend belonged to Bayelsa and Wolves, who reminded the league that winning away from home remains one of the toughest feats in the NPFL.
