2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League
Nigeria Professional Football League season
Football league season
- Warri Wolves
- Jigawa Golden Stars
- Ifeanyiubah
- Adamawa United
- Akwa United
- Rivers United
- Enyimba
← 2019–20
2021–22 →
All statistics correct as of 6 August 2021.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]
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
Uyo
Owerri
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Locations of the 2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League teamsClubs
The league consisted of 20 teams from the previous season.
- ^ Abia Warriors played their first two home games at the Enyimba International Stadium.
Managerial changes
| 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
League table
| 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
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) Champions
Results
| 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:
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
- ^ 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]
- ^ 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
Source: World Football
Statistics
Scoring
Top scorers
| 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
| 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
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
| 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
Monthly awards
| 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
- 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
- ^ "LMC affirms December 27 date for league kickoff". Guardian.ng. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ a b "2019–20 NPFL season cancelled without promotion or relegation". Goal.com. 10 July 2020.
- ^ "NPFL 2020/21 season to start on December 6". aclsports. 9 November 2020.
- ^ "LMC certifies 13 stadiums ahead of 2020–21 NPFL season". vanguardngr. com. 1 November 2020.
- ^ "Akwa United beat MFM to win first ever Nigeria Premier League title". The Punch. 1 August 2021.
- ^ "Impressive Akwa United lift first NPFL title". The Nation. 2 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Silas Nwankwo wins the NPFL Eunisell golden boot". whogoz.ng. 6 August 2021.
- ^ "Jigawa new coach proud of Dakkada's feat". kick442.com. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Katsina United unveils coach Bazuaye". blueprint.ng. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ "No crisis in MFM FC - Goodwin Enakhena". bsnsports.com. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ "MFM names Olalekan Gabriel new head coach". Guardian.ng. 23 February 2021.
- ^ "Lionel Soccoïa quits Kano Pillars after four months". brila.net. 18 March 2021.
- ^ "Warri Wolves sack Evans Ogenyi". brila.net. 17 March 2021.
- ^ "Warrior Wolves appoints Ortega Deniran as new technical adviser". brila.net. 20 May 2021.
- ^ "New gaffer Azeez Mohammed ready to lead Katsina United out of trouble". brila.net. 4 May 2021.
- ^ "Usman Abd'Allah leaves Wikki Tourists". busybuddiesng.com. 18 May 2021.
- ^ "Sunshine Stars coach Ogunbote resigns over lack of welfare support". daily post.ng. 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Deji Ayeni replaces Gbenga Ogunbote as Sunshine coach". bsnsports.com.ng. 1 June 2021.
- ^ "MFM FC awarded 3 points against FC Ifeanyiubah". vanguardngr.com. 9 May 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "NPFL Matchday 20:MFM FC condemns FC Ifeanyiubah to the bottom in rescheduled fixture". bsnsports.com.ng. 30 July 2021.
- ^ "CASE:Jigawa Golden Stars FC vs Rivers United FC". TheNFF. 5 August 2021.
- ^ "NFF committee's decision takes Rivers United to second position". The Guardian. 5 August 2021.
- ^ "Kwara United's Jude Steven delights in first professional hattrick". brila.net. 22 March 2021.
- ^ "Silas Nwankwo nets hattrick for Nasarawa". TheCable. 28 March 2021.
- ^ "Wikki Tourists whip FC Ifeanyiubah". TheEagleOnline.com.ng. 13 June 2021.
- ^ "Charles Atshimene nets hattrick as Akwa United lifts NPFL trophy in seven goals thriller". platformtimes.com.ng. 2 August 2021.
- ^ "Sadeeq Yusuf claims NPFL player of the month award for January". ojbsport.com. 15 February 2021.
External links
- Nigeria 2020/21 RSSSF
