The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicks off this weekend, and with it, the race for the coveted league crown begins for 20 coaches across the participating clubs.
Defending champions Remo Stars will open their campaign in Abeokuta against Rivers United, setting the stage for a tactical battle between coach Daniel Ogunmodede and former league winner Finidi George, who now leads Rivers.
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Former NPFL champions Fidelis Ilechukwu and Imama Amakpakabo, who both previously lifted the trophy with Rangers International, are back in the dugouts of Rangers and Abia Warriors respectively, each eyeing another title triumph.
Enyimba FC, perennial contenders, will once again be a team to watch.
With veteran tactician Stanley Eguma, currently the most experienced coach in the league and a past winner, at the helm, the Aba giants are expected to mount a strong challenge for the trophy.
The remaining 15 coaches are also fine-tuning strategies for a competitive season and launch attack that can secure their career maiden NPFL title.
Veterans such as Ladan Bosso, Monday Odigie, Kabiru Dogo, and Abdul Maikaba bring deep knowledge of the league and will be looking to push their teams to glory this time.
One of last season’s remarkable stories was Nurudeen Aweroro, who guided Ikorodu City from the relegation zone after six matches to a fourth-place finish, a huge inspiration for new comers to fancy their chances of upsetting the books.
Aweroro has now taken charge of Shooting Stars of Ibadan, where he will aim to replicate his success and fight for the league crown.
His former assistant, Ali Kandil, has stepped up as Ikorodu City’s head coach for the new season and he also have a point to prove with the modest Lagos based team.
Full List of Coaches for the 2025/26 NPFL Season
1. Abia Warriors – Imama Amakpakabo
2. Barau FC – Ladan Bosso
3. Bayelsa United – Monday Odigie
4. Bendel Insurance – Greg Ikhenoba
5. El-Kanemi Warriors – Kabiru Dogo
6. Enugu Rangers – Fidelis Ilechukwu
7. Enyimba FC – Stanley Eguma
8. Ikorodu City – Ali Kandil
9. Kano Pillars – Evans Ogenyi
10. Katsina United – Azeez Mohammed
11. Kun Khalifat FC – Obinna Uzoh
12. Kwara United – Tunde Sanni
13. Nasarawa United – Mangut Mbwas
14. Niger Tornadoes – Mohammed Majid
15. Plateau United – Shola Adegum
16. Remo Stars – Daniel Ogunmodede
17. Rivers United – Finidi George
18. Shooting Stars – Nurudeen Aweroro
19. Warri Wolves – Napoleon Aluma
20. Wikki Tourist – Abdul Maikaba
The stage is set, the coaches are ready, and the battle for supremacy in the NPFL promises to be intense as the 2025/26 season gets underway.
