Remo Stars to open NPFL title defense vs Rivers United as 2025/26 fixtures are out

By Wale Mustapha

Defending champions Remo Stars will kick off their 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) campaign with a high-stakes clash against last season’s runners-up, Rivers United, following the release of the new league fixtures on Monday.

The fixture list was unveiled during the NPFL Annual General Meeting and Draws Ceremony held in Abuja.

Remo Stars, who clinched their maiden league title last season with four games to spare, will begin their title defense at home in Ikenne against a Rivers United side also preparing for continental competition in the CAF Champions League.

Coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s team is aiming to start strong against a familiar rival that pushed them closest in the previous campaign.

Elsewhere, Abia Warriors—who finished third last season—will host Kano Pillars in Umuahia, while newly promoted Wikki Tourists welcome Plateau United to Bauchi.

Warri Wolves, returning to the NPFL after five years in the lower division, will face Katsina United in their season opener. In Awka, 2023/24 champions Enugu Rangers will engage Kun Khalifat in an Oriental derby.

Kwara United will rekindle their opening day rivalry with Ikorodu City, repeating last season’s curtain-raiser, while El-Kanemi Warriors square off against Insurance FC.

Newly appointed Shooting Stars head coach Nurudeen Aweroro begins his tenure with a home fixture against Bayelsa United in Ibadan. Enyimba FC are away to promoted Barau FC in Kano, and Niger Tornadoes will take on Nasarawa United in an all-North Central encounter in Minna.

The 2025/26 NPFL season is scheduled to kick off on August 22, 2025.

Matchday One Fixtures:

• Abia Warriors vs Kano Pillars

• Wikki Tourists vs Plateau United

• Katsina United vs Warri Wolves

• Enugu Rangers vs Kun Khalifat

• Remo Stars vs Rivers United

• Kwara United vs Ikorodu City

• El-Kanemi Warriors vs Insurance FC

• Shooting Stars vs Bayelsa United

• Barau FC vs Enyimba FC

• Niger Tornadoes vs Nasarawa United

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

See Full Bio