The 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League season will officially get underway on Friday, August 28, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirming the match officials for the opening round of fixtures.
The curtain-raiser will see five-time champions Shooting Stars welcome newly promoted Inter Lagos to the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm. The remaining nine Matchday One fixtures will be played on Sunday, August 30, also at 4pm.
The NFF Refereeing Development Committee has appointed Bashir Salisu as the centre referee for the opening encounter between Shooting Stars and Inter Lagos. He will be assisted by Ahmed M. Tijani and Muud Zango, while Gata Muhd L. has been named fourth official.
The appointments cover all 10 Matchday One fixtures, with referees, assistant referees, fourth officials and referee assessors named ahead of the start of the campaign.
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Among the other centre referees appointed are Joseph Ogabor for Abia Warriors vs Kun Khalifat, Nurudeen Abubakar for Barau FC vs Nasarawa United, Adejo Noah for Bendel Insurance vs Warri Wolves and John Tope A. for Rangers vs Katsina United.
Grema Mohd will take charge of Rivers United vs Plateau United, while Yemisi Akintoye has been appointed for Kwara United vs Kano Pillars. Alaba Funmilayo will referee Niger Tornadoes vs Enyimba, while Auwalu Rabiu will handle Doma United vs Sporting Lagos.
The opening weekend will feature an interesting mix of established NPFL sides and newly promoted clubs.
Following Friday’s South-West derby in Ibadan, Sunday will see Ikorodu City host Ranchers Bees, Abia Warriors face Kun Khalifat, Barau FC take on Nasarawa United, and Bendel Insurance battle Warri Wolves.
Defending champions Rangers will begin their title defence at home against Katsina United, while Rivers United will host Plateau United. Kwara United will entertain Kano Pillars, Niger Tornadoes will welcome Enyimba to Minna, and Doma United will face Sporting Lagos.
The opening fixture has interests as Shooting Stars start a new campaign under head coach Salisu Yusuf, while Inter Lagos prepare for their firstever NPFL campaign after earning promotion to the top flight. The two sides already met in a pre-season friendly on August 4, playing out a goalless draw.
Matchday One fixtures
Friday, August 28
- Shooting Stars vs Inter Lagos — 4pm
Sunday, August 30
- Ikorodu City vs Ranchers Bees — 4pm
- Abia Warriors vs Kun Khalifat — 4pm
- Barau FC vs Nasarawa United — 4pm
- Bendel Insurance vs Warri Wolves — 4pm
- Rangers vs Katsina United — 4pm
- Rivers United vs Plateau United — 4pm
- Kwara United vs Kano Pillars — 4pm
- Niger Tornadoes vs Enyimba — 4pm
- Doma United vs Sporting Lagos — 4pm
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Attention turns to Ibadan on Friday as Shooting Stars and Inter Lagos officially open the 2026/27 NPFL campaign.
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