The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) officially gets underway for the 2026/2027 campaign on Friday, as Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) welcome newly promoted Inter Lagos in the season’s high-profile curtain-raiser.
The opening fixture by 4pm (WAT) at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, sets the tone for what promises to be an intensely competitive domestic season, following confirmation of the fixtures during the league’s Annual General Meeting and draws.
Shooting Stars begin the season under a new head coach/technical adviser in Salisu Yusuf, after Nurudeen Aweroro was cut loose just two weeks before the start of the campaign.
The Oluyole Warriors face Inter Lagos amid high-profile departures like Ismail Ayodele, Tijani Kabiru and last season’s top assist provider, Ayobami Junior.
They have strengthened their playing personnel with Taheer Abubakar, Kalu Nweke, Albert Kovarh, Tamuno Kalio, Issa Yusuf and Aule Johnmark in the off-season.
Inter Lagos, on the other hand, have been largely quiet with their recruitment. However the highlight of the newcomers’ off-season activities was their 0-0 draw in a pre-season game with Shooting Stars on August 4th.
Shakiru Biodun Giwa will rely mostly on the playing personnel that earned them their first promotion to the top-flight as Shooting Stars hope to shake off their lethargic start to the campaign in the last five seasons in which they have managed just one win (D3 L1).
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While 3SC and Inter Lagos raise the curtain on proceedings, the rest of the Match day 1 fixtures follow closely with blockbuster encounters scattered across stadia nationwide.
As club management and players chase the newly elevated financial stakes and the coveted domestic crown, the 2026/2027 NPFL season is set to deliver another thrilling chapter of elite Nigerian club football.
