NPFL 24/25 Season Promises New Faces, Fierce Rivalries, and High Hopes for Nigerian Football

Just 11 months after our last preview of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League season, the league is set to return, bringing back the thrill and excitement to stadiums across the nation and the TV screens of thousands of Nigerian football fans. What makes this new season particularly exciting is its timely kickoff on August 31st, a rarity in recent years given the history of delays and postponements.

The 2023/24 season ended on a high note, with the traditional powerhouse, Rangers International of Enugu, securing their 8th NPFL title, much to the delight of their passionate fanbase. Meanwhile, clubs like Shooting Stars fought fiercely for a top-four finish, setting the stage for what promises to be an even more compelling 2024/25 season.

As the new season approaches, analysts e  have begun peering into their crystal balls, eager to share predictions for what is expected to be a fiercely contested NPFL campaign. Fans and experts alike are speculating what teams will secure the coveted continental spots by the end of the season. In this spirit, Culture Custodian has carefully collected her  top four predictions and some expectations for the NPFL 2024/25 season.

Expectations for the 2024/25 Season 

The anticipation for the new season is high, especially when considering the quality of football likely to be on display. Teams like Rangers International, Remo Stars, Akwa United, and Rivers United have consistently demonstrated tactical brilliance and competitive spirit over the years, making them strong contenders for the NPFL crown once again. Fans can expect thrilling matches, intense rivalries, and world-class football from these formidable sides.

Adding to the excitement is the ever-dynamic coaching landscape of the NPFL. For instance, Finidi George’s departure from Enyimba to Rivers United has opened the door for his former assistant, Yemi Olarenwaju, to step up as Enyimba’s new head coach. Meanwhile, former Nigeria U-20 head coach Ladan Bosso has joined the league’s coaching ranks, adding more intrigue to the unfolding drama. These changes promise to make the season even more unpredictable and engaging.

New Faces and New Challenges

While the self-proclaimed “Pride of Lagos,” Sporting Lagos, suffered relegation, their exit has made way for another Lagos-based team, Ikorodu City, to make its debut in the NPFL. Founded in January 2022, Ikorodu City faces the daunting challenge of surviving in the highly competitive NPFL environment. Under the guidance of Coach Bright Ozebagbe and bolstered by experienced players, the newcomers aim to make their mark and add a fresh layer of excitement to what is shaping up to be an enthralling season.

Predictions for the Season

Looking ahead, we are placing our bets on Remo Stars, a team that has been on the verge of breaking free from their “underachiever” tag after finishing second twice consecutively. We believe this to be the season they finally emerge as champions. Joining them in the top four, we expect Rangers International, Enyimba, and Kano Pillars to be strong contenders. On the other hand, Sunshine Stars, Katsina United, Niger Tornadoes, and Nasarawa United may find themselves battling relegation.

As the NPFL 2024/25 season kicks off, fans and analysts alike are bracing for a campaign filled with drama, surprises, and, hopefully, greatness on the pitch. Whether your team is battling for the title or fighting to avoid the drop, one thing is certain: the Nigeria Premier Football League is back, and it’s set to be a thrilling ride. We also spoke to sports journalists Robert Olimene and Victor Opone for their predictions and this is what the league will look like to them:

ROBERT OLIMENE

The 2023 / 2024 season lived up to the billing and the interest in the league turned a corner as fans came out in their numbers to watch live matches in the stadiums, massive engagements on social media between fans and their clubs not forgetting inter-club bants back and forth between teams.

My expectation for the 2024 / 2025 NPFL season goes up a notch on the back of the CAF CL /CAF CC qualifiers played some weeks ago. I am looking forward to improved officiating from the officials with the application of the laws to the letter without fear or favour. With teams more fortified via the transfer market, i expect the title race to go down to the wire just as it did last season – for context; Rangers, Remo Stars, Enyimba, Shooting Stars, Plateau United, Lobi Stars are the teams on the front burner to fight for the title. Overall i am itching to see more fans fill the stadiums weekly to show support for the NPFL teams across the country as well as enjoy the best of football in the league, i expect a fierce battle for the golden boot also the relegation battle will be tight as one of the traditional team might find itself in the dogfight. I believe that one of the newly promoted team will survive and my pick is Ikorodu City to stay up.

My predictions for the Top 4, in no particular order, are Remo Stars, Rangers, Enyimba and Lobi Stars.

VICTOR OPONE

I strongly believe that the new season will be an improvement on last season given the increase in involvement and energy from different stakeholders involved in the Nigerian football ecosystem in the past year.

More content creators, more fans, more corporate bodies/brands paying attention. 

This points at improvements across different spheres concerning the league which transcends to how the rivalries will shape up. More fans (especially on social media) means more banter rotation and an increase in the banter material only heats up the atmosphere before games.

Talk about servings!! 

Add the pulsating energy coming from a certain Ikorodu City, who’d not want to go the route of Sporting Lagos!! Oops! My bad!

I think Remo Stars will be more determined than ever to win the title. IjaBall’s expressions since the ending of last season has pointed in that direction. They’ll also be smarting from the pains of their continental travails.

I think Shooting Stars will be thereabouts too despite the quality of players that have left the team in the last couple of weeks.

Can’t put it past the Flying Antelopes to put up a small fight in the title challenge just to show last season was no fluke.

And Enyimba… the People’s Elephants want to do the trampling with Yema in the dugout.

Overall, I’m giddy with excitement for what I think will be a splufik season. Be there!!