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2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League

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The 2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was the 50th season of the top flight league in the Nigeria football league system and the 31st since its rebranding. The league started on 27 December 2020 after much delay and concluded on 5 August 2021.[1]

Nigeria Professional Football League
Season2020–2021
Relegated
Champions League
Confederation Cup
Matches played380
Goals scored789 (2.08 per match)
Top goalscorerSilas Nwankwo & Charles Atshimene (19 goals)
Biggest home winKwara 5–0 Adamawa (21 March 2021)
Highest scoringNasarawa 5–3 Abia Warriors (28 March 2021)
Longest winning runKano Pillars & Enyimba (4 matches)
Longest unbeaten runAkwa United (18 matches)
Longest winless runSunshine Stars (18 matches)
Longest losing runAdamawa United (5 matches)
All statistics correct as of 6 August 2021.

Enyimba were the defending champions from the 2019 season but failed to defend their title after finishing third on the table.[2]

The season was initially scheduled to commence on 6 December 2020 but after much delay, the League Management Company announced that the league would start on 27 December 2020 with all matches played behind closed doors.[3]

This season featured the 20 teams from the 2019–20 season as no clubs were promoted nor relegated as the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[2]

The League Management Company announced that only 13 stadiums across the country were eligible to host league matches as part of a broader club licensing regime, they were certified to have met minimum requirements to host games. Another 11 were recommended for varying degrees of upgrade and repair works before they can be certified[4]

This season saw a return of live NPFL matches. Selected matches were viewed live on NPFL TV and on NTA.

On 1 August 2021, Akwa United won their first NPFL title after a convincing 5–2 home win over MFM with a game left.[5][6] Akwa United also set a league record with their 18-match unbeaten run, surpassing Enyimba in 2005 and Kano Pillars 2019–20 13-match unbeaten sequence.

Warri Wolves, Jigawa Golden Stars, Ifeanyiubah and Adamawa United were all confirmed relegated at the end of the campaign.

Nasarawa's Silas Nwankwo won the Eunisell golden boot award as the league topscorer for scoring lesser penalties having been tied with Akwa United's Charles Atshimene.[7]

Teams information

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Locations of the 2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League teams

Clubs

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The league consisted of 20 teams from the previous season.

Team Location Stadium Head Coach
Abia Warriors Umuahia Okigwe Stadium[a]   Imama Amapakabo
Adamawa United Yola Pantami Stadium   Justin Madugu
Akwa United F.C. Uyo Godswill Akpabio International Stadium   Kennedy Boboye
Dakkada Uyo Godswill Akpabio International Stadium   Lawrence Kingsley
Enugu Rangers Enugu Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium   Salisu Yusuf
Enyimba Aba Enyimba International Stadium   Fatai Osho
Heartland F.C. Owerri Okigwe Stadium   Fidelis Ilechukwu
Ifeanyi Ubah F.C. Nnewi Ifeanyi Ubah FC International Stadium   Uche Okagbue
Jigawa Golden Stars Dutse Ahmadu Bello Stadium   Gilbert Opana
Kano Pillars Kano Ahmadu Bello Stadium   Ibrahim Musa
Katsina United Katsina Muhammadu Dikko Stadium   Azeez Mohammed
Kwara United Ilorin Kwara State Stadium   Abdullahi Biffo
Lobi Stars Makurdi Aper Aku Stadium   Kabiru Dogo
MFM F.C. Lagos Agege Stadium   Gabriel Olalekan
Nasarawa United Lafia Lafia Township Stadium   Bala Nikyu
Plateau United Jos New Jos Stadium   Abdul Maikaba
Rivers United Port Harcourt Yakubu Gowon Stadium   Stanley Eguma
Sunshine Stars Akure Akure Township Stadium   Deji Ayeni
Warri Wolves Warri Delta State Polytechnic Stadium   Ortega Deniran
Wikki Tourists F.C. Bauchi Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium   Bala Jibrin
  1. ^ Abia Warriors played their first two home games at the Enyimba International Stadium.

Managerial changes

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Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of departure Incoming manager Date of
appointment
Jigawa Golden Stars   Dodo Isah Sacked 20 January   Gilbert Opana 20 January[8]
Katsina United   Bishir Sadauki End of interim management 21 January   Baldwin Bazuaye 21 January[9]
MFM  Tony Bulus Resignation[10] 10 February   Gabriel Olalekan 22 February[11]
Kano Pillars   Lionel Soccoïa Resignation[12] 16 March   Ibrahim Musa 17 March
Warri Wolves   Evans Ogenyi Sacked[13] 17 March   Ortega Deniran 20 May[14]
Katsina United  Baldwin Bazuaye Demotion to assistant coach 3 May   Azeez Mohammed 3 May[15]
Wikki Tourists    Usman Abd'Allah Resignation 18 May[16]   Bala Jibrin 20 May
Sunshine Stars   Gbenga Ogunbote Resignation[17] 27 May   Deji Ayeni[18] 1 June

Summary

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League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Akwa United (C) 38 19 14 5 53 24 +29 71 Qualification for the Champions League
2 Rivers United 38 19 9 10 50 34 +16 66
3 Enyimba 38 18 12 8 41 33 +8 66 Qualification for the Confederation Cup
4 Kwara United 38 19 8 11 48 28 +20 65
5 Nasarawa United 38 20 5 13 55 38 +17 65
6 Kano Pillars 38 19 7 12 38 29 +9 64
7 Enugu Rangers 38 18 8 12 43 31 +12 62
8 Lobi Stars 38 17 7 14 43 39 +4 58
9 Plateau United 38 14 9 15 45 35 +10 51
10 MFM 38 13 12 13 34 35 −1 51
11 Dakkada 38 15 5 18 37 47 −10 50
12 Katsina United 38 14 7 17 35 42 −7 49
13 Heartland 38 13 9 16 43 50 −7 48
14 Abia Warriors 38 12 11 15 48 42 +6 47
15 Wikki Tourists 38 12 9 17 40 47 −7 45
16 Sunshine Stars 38 11 12 15 28 39 −11 45
17 Warri Wolves 38 11 8 19 30 45 −15 41 Relegation to the National League
18 Jigawa Golden Stars 38 10 10 18 27 48 −21 40
19 Ifeanyiubah 38 9 12 17 33 50 −17 39
20 Adamawa United 38 5 10 23 20 55 −35 25
Source: NPFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) Champions

Results

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Home \ Away ABW ADA AKW DAK ENU ENY HEA IFU JGS KAN KAT KWA LOB MFM NAS PLA RIV SUN WWV WIK
Abia Warriors 5–1 0–0 0–1 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–1 1–3 4–1 3–1 2–1 2–0 0–0 3–1 2–1 0–1 4–1 4–1 1–0
Adamawa United 1–1 0–1 2–0 1–1 1–2 0–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 1–0 0–2 1–0 1–1 0–0 0–2 2–0 0–0 3–3 0–0
Akwa United 2–1 2–0 0–0 0–0 1–0 3–1 1–0 3–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 3–0 5–2 2–1 1–0 3–0 2–1 3–0 1–1
Dakkada 2–1 4–0 0–2 1–1 1–3 1–0 2–1 2–1 3–2 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–1 0–0 1–0 4–2 1–2 2–0 2–1
Enugu Rangers 2–1 1–0 1–0 3–0 2–0 2–0 2–1 3–0 2–0 1–0 1–0 0–0 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–1 4–1 1–0 2–1
Enyimba 1–0 2–1 1–1 1–0 2–1 0–0 2–2 2–1 2–1 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–0
Heartland 2–2 2–1 2–1 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 2–0 0–0 2–0 2–0 1–2 0–0 2–2 0–1 1–1 2–0
Ifeanyi Ubah 1–1 3–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 2–2 0–1 3–0 2–1 1–0 0–2[a] 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–0
Jigawa GS 0–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–0 2–1 3–0 1–0 0–1 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–0 0–3[b] 1–0 1–1 1–1
Kano Pillars 1–0 1–0 0–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 3–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0 1–0
Katsina United 1–0 2–0 1–0 2–0 2–0 3–1 3–2 3–0 1–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 2–1 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–0 5–1
Kwara United 1–1 5–0 1–1 3–0 2–0 1–0 0–0 1–0 3–0 1–0 3–0 2–1 1–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 1–0 2–0 3–1
Lobi Stars 0–0 1–0 2–1 2–1 1–0 1–1 3–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 2–0 1–0 3–2 3–2 4–1 2–1 3–0 0–0
MFM 0–0 2–0 1–2 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–2 1–1 2–0 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 3–1 2–2 1–0 2–1 1–0
Nasarawa United 5–3 1–0 2–1 3–0 3–0 1–2 3–1 3–0 3–1 1–1 1–0 2–1 1–0 1–0 2–0 2–1 4–0 3–1 2–1
Plateau United 2–1 3–0 0–0 2–0 2–1 0–0 3–0 4–0 3–0 0–0 2–0 0–2 0–0 3–1 1–0 1–1 3–1 2–0 4–1
Rivers United 0–0 1–0 1–1 2–0 1–0 1–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–0 3–0 3–1 2–0 2–0 3–1 1–0 2–1 1–1
Sunshine Stars 2–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 3–1 0–1 1–1 1–0 0–0 1–0 0–0 1–2 2–2 0–0 0–0 3–2 1–0 1–0 1–0
Warri Wolves 2–0 1–0 0–0 0–1 0–1 1–1 1–0 3–1 0–0 1–1 3–0 1–0 1–0 0–2 1–2 1–0 1–0 2–1 1–0
Wikki Tourists 1–0 2–0 2–2 2–1 2–1 1–2 4–2 4–3 2–0 1–2 3–1 1–1 1–0 2–0 1–2 0–0 1–0 0–0 1–0
Source: NPFL
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. ^ The match was initially awarded to MFM as a 3–0 win after Ifeanyiubah failed to show up for the game, however, after Ifeanyiubah appealed regarding the issue, the League Management Company decided the match would be played at a neutral venue on 30 July, MFM won the rescheduled fixture 2–0.[19] [20][21]
  2. ^ Matchday 34 fixture between Jigawa Golden Stars and Rivers United initially ended a 2–1 win for the hosts. However, on 5 August, the NFF and LMC awarded the fixture as a 0–3 win for Rivers United after it appeared that Jigawa had fielded an ineligible player at the match.[22] This decision consequently altered the teams positions at the end of the season.[23]

Positions by round

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To preserve chronological evolvements, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.

Team ╲ Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
Abia Warriors1620192020191919191716171412101210111012121313131313131313141514151414141414
Adamawa United915181919202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020202020
Akwa United111711121315139676655654331112121111111111111
Dakkada12435712812791215788888891012912121212121110119109991011
Enugu Rangers17108246105554522242565666669677777777777
Enyimba5651053211223343766579107776755545444353
Heartland13192018181718181512118111113111112118778101111101110121212121213131313
Ifeanyi Ubah611141717181517181817181819181919191919191919191818181717171818191819191919
Jigawa GS771281114121411139111216161515131413141414141414161416161717171616161518
Kano Pillars103936594433143533222221212233334333436
Katsina United21461115131615161415161717171617181816161617161515141514131313131312121112
Kwara United1513149763311211121113333535464656666664
Lobi Stars18124634589118109109109109118911887889888888888
MFM387789111314161414101515171415151413111291010111012111011111111111210
Nasarawa United41242136867466415476545343322222222225
Plateau United2018101310107101315181313912912912101181011989989910910101099
Rivers United82111212245787767744454454546463555542
Sunshine Stars191315151284710810121614141416171618171818181919191818181616161717161716
Warri Wolves14916914161716171919191918191818161717181716171617171919191919181918181817
Wikki Tourists151617161611141112101391513111313141315151515151716151615151415141515151615
Leader
2021–22 CAF Champions League
2021–22 CAF Confederation Cup
Relegation to Nigeria National League
Source: World Football


Statistics

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Scoring

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Top scorers

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Rank Player Club Goals
1   Silas Nwankwo Nasarawa United 19
  Charles Atshimene Akwa United
3   Rabiu Ali Kano Pillars 14
  Michael Ohanu Kwara United
5   Zulkifilu Rabiu Plateau United 13
  Sad'eeq Yusuf Sunshine Stars
7   Ossy Martins Lobi Stars 11
  Chukwuemeka Obioma Abia Warriors
9   Jude Steven Kwara United 10
  Christian Nnaji Enugu Rangers
  Samuel Stone Jigawa Golden Stars

Hattricks

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Player For Against Result Date
  Jude Steven Kwara United Adamawa United 5–0 (H)[24] 21 March 2021
  Silas Nwankwo Nasarawa United Abia Warriors 5–3 (H)[25] 28 March 2021
  Nazifi Yahaya Wikki Tourists Ifeanyiubah 4–3 (H)[26] 13 June 2021
  Michael Ohanu Kwara United Wikki Tourists 3–1 (H) 22 July 2021
  Chukwuemeka Obioma Abia Warriors Adamawa United 5–1 (H) 28 July 2021
 Charles Atshimene Akwa United MFM 5–2 (H)[27] 1 August 2021
Notes


(H) – Home team

Top assists

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Updated to match(es) played on 11 April 2021

Rank Player Club Assists
1   Auwalu Ali Malam Kano Pillars 6
2   Umwana Asuquo Dakkada 5
  Stephen Jude Kwara United
4   Ndifreke Effiong Akwa United 4
  Christian Ekong Dakkada
Enyimba
  Elijah Akanni MFM

Clean sheets

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Rank Player Club Clean sheets
1   Dele Aiyenugba Kwara United 16
  Adewale Adeyinka Akwa United
3   Stanley Nwabali Lobi Stars 14
4   Abubakar Adamu Plateau United 10
  Sharp Uzoigwe Ifeanyiubah
6   Chinedu Anozie Plateau United 8
  Chijioke Ejiogu Heartland

Awards

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Monthly awards

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Month Manager of the Month Player of the Month References
Manager Club Player Club
January   Gbenga Ogunbote Sunshine Stars   Sad'eeq Yusuf Sunshine Stars [28]
February   Fatai Osho Enyimba   Ndifreke Effiong Akwa United

Season's award

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Eunisell golden boot

The golden boot award was won by Nasarawa's Silas Nwankwo. He won having scored lesser penalties than Akwa United's Charles Atshimene as they were tied at 19 goals.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "LMC affirms December 27 date for league kickoff". Guardian.ng. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b "2019–20 NPFL season cancelled without promotion or relegation". Goal.com. 10 July 2020.
  3. ^ "NPFL 2020/21 season to start on December 6". aclsports. 9 November 2020.
  4. ^ "LMC certifies 13 stadiums ahead of 2020–21 NPFL season". vanguardngr. com. 1 November 2020.
  5. ^ "Akwa United beat MFM to win first ever Nigeria Premier League title". The Punch. 1 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Impressive Akwa United lift first NPFL title". The Nation. 2 August 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Silas Nwankwo wins the NPFL Eunisell golden boot". whogoz.ng. 6 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Jigawa new coach proud of Dakkada's feat". kick442.com. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Katsina United unveils coach Bazuaye". blueprint.ng. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  10. ^ "No crisis in MFM FC - Goodwin Enakhena". bsnsports.com. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  11. ^ "MFM names Olalekan Gabriel new head coach". Guardian.ng. 23 February 2021.
  12. ^ "Lionel Soccoïa quits Kano Pillars after four months". brila.net. 18 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Warri Wolves sack Evans Ogenyi". brila.net. 17 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Warrior Wolves appoints Ortega Deniran as new technical adviser". brila.net. 20 May 2021.
  15. ^ "New gaffer Azeez Mohammed ready to lead Katsina United out of trouble". brila.net. 4 May 2021.
  16. ^ "Usman Abd'Allah leaves Wikki Tourists". busybuddiesng.com. 18 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Sunshine Stars coach Ogunbote resigns over lack of welfare support". daily post.ng. 27 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Deji Ayeni replaces Gbenga Ogunbote as Sunshine coach". bsnsports.com.ng. 1 June 2021.
  19. ^ "MFM FC awarded 3 points against FC Ifeanyiubah". vanguardngr.com. 9 May 2021.
  20. ^ "FC Ifeanyiubah vs MFM match to be replayed at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Ifeanyiubah to pay MFM FC two million naira before rescheduled date". sports247.ng. 19 June 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  21. ^ "NPFL Matchday 20:MFM FC condemns FC Ifeanyiubah to the bottom in rescheduled fixture". bsnsports.com.ng. 30 July 2021.
  22. ^ "CASE:Jigawa Golden Stars FC vs Rivers United FC". TheNFF. 5 August 2021.
  23. ^ "NFF committee's decision takes Rivers United to second position". The Guardian. 5 August 2021.
  24. ^ "Kwara United's Jude Steven delights in first professional hattrick". brila.net. 22 March 2021.
  25. ^ "Silas Nwankwo nets hattrick for Nasarawa". TheCable. 28 March 2021.
  26. ^ "Wikki Tourists whip FC Ifeanyiubah". TheEagleOnline.com.ng. 13 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Charles Atshimene nets hattrick as Akwa United lifts NPFL trophy in seven goals thriller". platformtimes.com.ng. 2 August 2021.
  28. ^ "Sadeeq Yusuf claims NPFL player of the month award for January". ojbsport.com. 15 February 2021.
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