Oriental derby opens NPFL as Enyimba int tackles Abia Warriors on match day 1

November, 25 2021.

The Nigeria Professional Football League will kickstart from the 17th of December, 2021. It has been confirmed by the League management company (LMC) on Thursday.

An Oriental and Southwest derby has been perfectly lined up on the opening weekend, as Enyimba FC will engage Abia warriors at home and MFM at the Agege soccer temple host Promoted Remo Stars. Akwa United will start their title defence at home to Kano Pillars and end the season away at Rangers Int'l.

The star match of week 2 & 3 sees Rangers Intl host Enyimba FC, Kano Pillars at home against the people's elephant respectively. At week 6, Shooting Stars face Sunshine stars of Akure in another southwest derby.

By week 7, Enyimba stay back at home against the champions Akwa United, with the reversed fixture slated for week 27. Shooting stars will renew old rivalry with Kwara United at home on week 8. Week 9 & 11 will also feature southwest derby with Shooting stars travelling to MFM and Remo respectively.

The first round of the league ends by the 20th March, 2022 and resumes on the 27th while the last round of games has been scheduled for June 17, 2022.

The LMC approved an asymmetrical fixture list for the 2021-2022 campaign which makes the fixtures less predictable and deemed more exciting.