On August 31st, the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League commenced. Fans saw the Rangers of Enugu go head-to-head with the El Kanemi Warriors in the Charity Cup. This was an incredible match to kick off the season. And this was just the beginning of a very exciting season, so let’s take a look at some of the highlights from the first two weeks.
The Nigerian Premier Football League showcases some of the best players and is the highest league in the Nigerian football league system. This year fans can expect each club to play 38 matches all leading up to the final. The season has officially only been running for two weeks, with the first fixture taking place on the 7th of September, there have already been some great moments in the season.
Rising talents and stand-out players
Let’s talk about some of the new and stand-out players in the season already causing a buzz amongst fans. This season there have been a number of incredible and talented players introduced to the league. However, the Sunshine Stars in particular have signed 21 players this season. This is a mix of brand-new talents like Olaoluwa Okiki, Adeolu Gabriel and Manuwa Kayode and players transferred from other teams such as Seth Mayi, Emmanuel Ofori and Achi Nnaemeka to name a few.
However, it’s not just the Sunshine Stars that have stand-out players, there are a number of names throughout the NPFL that many fans have an eye on. One name that’s been creating a buzz ever since he entered the NPFL is 17-year-old Daniel Daga (Enyimba). Another stand-out player is 18-year-old Suleiman Sani (Akwa United), who is another player who made a name for himself in previous seasons. With Fifa’s talent scheme, in the next coming years, the season can expect some more incredible players, upping the competition even more. However, it’s not just the players on the field set to perform this season, fans are also in anticipation to see what each coach has up their sleeve for the league.
Highlights from week 1
Week 1 brought an incredible show, with Ifeanyi Ihemekwele’s equaliser being a stand-out moment in the Heartland FC vs Enyimba on the 8th of September. This week’s results of:
September 8th:
Sunshine Stars FC vs Bayelsa United FC 3-0
Nasarawa United FC vs Shooting Stars 1-1
Heartland FC vs Enyimba FC 1-3
Kwara United FC vs Niger Tornadoes FC 1-2
Plateau United FC vs Katsina United FC 1-0
Abia Warriors FC vs Remo Stars FC 0-2
Bendel Insurance FC vs Rivers United FC 0-0
Kano Pillars FC vs Ikorodu City FC 3-0
September 9th:
Lobi Stars FC vs Akwa United FC 0-0
Highlights from week 2
Another great week for the NPFL, fans were buzzing after Bayelsa made a comeback with Rabiu Abdullahi scoring in the 59th minute in the Bayelsa United vs. Kano Pillars match. Results of the week include:
September 14th:
Rivers United FC vs Heartland FC 3-1
Remo Stars FC vs Sunshine Stars FC 1-0
September 15th:
Akwa United FC vs Abia Warriors FC 1-1
Bayelsa United FC vs Kano Pillars FC 1-1
Niger Tornadoes FC vs Nasarawa United FC 0-0
Katsina United FC vs Bendel Insurance FC 2-1
Kanemi Warriors FC vs Kwara United FC (Postponed)
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) vs Plateau United FC 1-1
Wagering on the season
If you’re a fan of the NPFL season, then a great way to get more involved is to place sports bets. Even though the season is two weeks in, it’s not too late to place a wager. Using a Stake bonus code is a great way to try out different types of bets, especially if you’re new to sports wagering, or even if you’re just new to wagering on the NPFL. Try to keep up with the latest news and data of the season, this is a great way to make more informed betting decisions. It’s also important to ensure you’re approaching sports betting responsibly too, this is the only way to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience. A great way to do this is to set a budget for yourself to avoid overspending. You should also always be cautious, knowing how to identify and avoid scams is essential with any kind of online activity. With these tips in mind, you will be able to ensure sports betting remains a safe activity for you that you can continue to enjoy indefinitely.
What a great start to the NPFL season this year. This is an exciting time for fans of the league, with some incredible matches already happening, it’s exciting to think about what’s to come. Just remember to keep up to date with the latest news and any schedule changes to ensure you don’t miss a thing. This way you can enjoy the season to its fullest.
