The 2023-24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season begins on Saturday in Ibadan at the Adamasingba Stadium with Gbenga Ogunbote’s Shooting Stars hosting Plateau United who have a new gaffer in Mbwas Mangut. Last season both sides faced off in the opening week and served a 6-goal thriller, hopefully, they serve us another cracker.
No team in the past decade has managed to retain the title and Enyimba will surely be hoping to do it this time around but the other top teams wouldn’t want that to happen.
We have asked six journalists who cover the league a couple of questions ahead of the League campaign and collated their thoughts here.
Enyimba won their 9th league title in Lagos at the Super 6 playoffs.
Will Enyimba become the first team to retain the NPFL title since 2014? If not, why not? And who will?
Egbomuche Felix: No. And it is not for lack of quality that I don’t see the 9-time champions retaining their title. It is for the same reason no team has managed to dominate the NPFL in 10 years – inconsistency. The Peoples’ Elephants are the only side to win the league more than once in that period, but there was a four-year gap in each of their three titles. Both Rivers United and Remo Stars lost it on goal difference last season, one of them will win it this season.
Nna Henry: It is possible but for that to happen, the management of Enyimba has to make drastic decisions. I see Rivers United, Akwa United, Rangers, and Plateau United pushing for the title.
Andrew Randa: They won’t retain it. A new board is in place and recruitment has not been top-notch. Internal wranglings will also play a part. So it looks like Rivers or Akwa United will do it this season.
Adams Jezil: No. It will be very difficult for Enyimba to retain the NPFL title. They were unable to recruit properly despite losing some of their top players from last season. The trio of Emeka Obioma, John Noble, and Fatai Abdullahi amongst others who left were not properly replaced. Rivers United should nick it as they have all it takes in terms of players and management team.
Seyi Alao: It is difficult to tell because of the nature of the league. NPFL is difficult to predict but I don’t see Enyimba retaining the championship. I think we might likely see a new winner, so, I’ll go for Remo Stars.
Mayowa Kufile: Enyimba’s last two title wins have come in abridged formats and a return to a full 38-game season means I will not be tipping them to defend their title. Plus, how do you replace the 16 goals scored by Chukwuemeka Obioma, the trickery of Sadiq Abubakar, the experience of John Noble, and the presence of Fatai Abdullahi in Midfield? Not to mention the changes to the management of the team. Remo Stars have grown in leaps and bounds over the past two seasons with a third and second-place finish respectively. I believe it is time to climb a position higher and if Alimi Sikiru can roll back the years with support from Isaac James and others, this might be the year for Remo Stars to win their first-ever league title.
Who will finish in the top three and qualify for the Continent?
Felix: Rivers United, Remo Stars, Bendel Insurance.
Henry: Rivers United, Rangers, Akwa United.
Randa: Akwa United, Enyimba, Enugu Rangers.
Jezil: Rivers United, Remo Stars, Enugu Rangers.
Seyi: Remo Stars, Rivers United, Shooting Stars.
Mayowa: Remo Stars, Rivers United, Enyimba.
Which team(s) will struggle this season in the NPFL?
Felix: On their debut season in the top flight, Doma United overachieved and almost qualified for the playoffs but things will be tougher in a 38-game season and I don’t see them reaching similar heights this season.
Henry: Enyimba will struggle because of the new management. Kanu Nwankwo and Ifeanyi Ekwueme are like two blind people leading each other. Some of the players they’ve brought in since Jude Anyadufu’s departure have been subpar. Kwara United, Niger Tornadoes, and Gombe United(who have just appointed a new coach) do not look prepared. Then there’s Lobi Stars who did well last season even while playing away from home but politics and internal issues are a big challenge for them now. We don’t know if Iorfa is coming back or not and some of their top players have left the team.
Randa: Doma’s unknown factor is gone and they haven’t done much recruitment. Same thing with Bayelsa United while Katsina United have factional and admin issues. If they don’t sort it out early, then it will be detrimental to their campaign.
Jezil: Lobi Stars are currently at their lowest in terms of motivation as the tussle for control at the helm of the management is still ongoing. Bala Abubakar has replaced Baba Ganaru who felt he was no longer respected and the team has lost most of its key players… Niger Tornadoes are another team that might struggle too despite impressing last season. They have lost coach Bala Abubakar to Lobi and replaced him with Hamza Abara who relegated El Kanemi… And despite winning the NNL without losing any game, Heartland have been quiet in the market, which could be a problem.
Seyi: I think Doma United and Lobi Stars will struggle to replicate the level from last season. These teams have had a mute window and there’s been no major additions to the squad from last season.
Mayowa: Lobi Stars, Sunshine Stars, Doma United. With a return to a 38-game league season, I believe Lobi Stars who have lost some key players, and Sunshine Stars who defied the odds last season will not be able to replicate their top-six finish while I foresee a second-season struggle for Doma United.
Which player will finish as top scorer?
Felix: The easy pick would have been Emeka Obioma but the top scorer from last season is no longer here. We still have a couple of big names on some roasters though, including former top scorer Junior Lokosa at Sporting Lagos but I think I will go with Bendel Insurance’s Imade Osarenkhoe to win the Golden Boot but not by much.
Henry: Joseph Atule – he looks lively and motivated in Enyimba colours. If he can convert his 60% of chances, he will come out tops.
Randa: Nyima Nwagua is shoe in. Probably the most experienced striker in the league right now and he is someone who has always been in the goals. The Rivers United captain’s armband will spur him to do more.
Jezil: Robert Mizo.
Seyi: Enyimba’s Chijioke Mbaoma.
Mayowa: Imade Osarenkhoe set the league ablaze with his scoring run in the first half of last season. The goals might have disappeared for him in the second half but with a year of experience in the top flight and with a bit of more attacking risk by coach Monday Odigie, I believe Imade will finish as the league’s top goal scorer.
Which team will be relegated?
Felix: Already, Gombe United are having a wobbly preparation for the season. That, along with their struggles from last season marks them strongly as a possible candidate for the drop.
Henry: Niger Tornadoes don’t seem like they even want to play the league this season. Gombe United are also doing everything late. I don’t know if they will be ready as the season is starting soon. You can add Kwara United to the list.
Randa: Doma United, Heartland, Bayelsa United, Katsina United. Katsina for reasons noted earlier, same as Doma. Heartland have perennially become a relegation dogfight feature for a few seasons now and I don’t see it changing. Bayelsa escaped the drop last season due to three points reinstated. They might not be lucky this season.
Jezil: Niger Tornadoes, Sunshine Stars, Heartland and Gombe United.
Seyi: Abia Warriors, Bayelsa United and Heartland.
Mayowa: Heartland, Gombe United, Doma United.
Which player are you looking forward to watching?
Felix: Christian Nwoke. Yeah, I’ve gone with a goalkeeper. The young shoot-stopper impressed in the Naija Super 8 and was very crucial to Sporting Lagos’ promotion to the first division. He is one for the future and I want to see how he does at his highest level yet.
Henry: Richard Christopher of Sunshine Stars was a joy to watch while at Jigawa Golden Stars and Rivers United bought him but things didn’t work out for him there as a young player. Going to Sunshine is like reintroducing himself and I will be watching the combative central midfielder closely.
Randa: Wisdom Ndon and George Owen. Both are new kids on the block who had their breakthrough last season. Looking forward to seeing how they consolidate on that this season. Young and exciting too.
Jezil: Micheal Tochukwu of Remo Stars.
Seyi: Malomo Taofeek, Amas Obasogie, and Joseph Atule. These lads are extraordinary talents with the potential to play for the Super Eagles. I want to see them flourish.
Mayowa: I was a big fan of Joseph Atule when he was with Lobi Stars last season and I’m hoping he can take his game to the next level this term with Enyimba but one player I’m looking forward to watching Saturday Okon of Sporting Lagos. Okon was important during the NNL Super 8 playoff and was a menace to defenders when Sporting won the Naija Super 8. His smile, dribbling skills, and late runs into the box have endeared him to the Lagos-based club faithful and I am expecting him to worry defenders in the topflight.
Which club will press the panic buzzer quickest and sack their manager first?
Felix: Several teams can win this unceremonious challenge but I’ve gone with Katsina United. The board of the Changi Boys are a trigger-happy set and after letting Usman Abdallah go despite promotion and replacing him with Tony Bolus, this looks like a crash waiting to happen.
Henry: Niger Tornadoes. They may drop a couple of points from the start of the season and that can lead to easing out the coach to fight against relegation.
Randa: Gombe United. They just hired a new coach barely two weeks before the start of the league. Not sure how he can build a team in that period. Odds on favorites to kick him out.
Jezil: Gombe United.
Seyi: Sunshine Stars, or Abia Warriors.
Mayowa: Abia Warriors just like their neighbors Enyimba have undergone some major management changes and I believe Coach Erasmus Onuh will need to avoid a bad patch in other not to face the wrath of John Obuh.
Which teams will excite the most?
Felix: I saw a couple of Sporting Lagos games in the NNL and Naija Super 8 and they looked pleasing to the eye. With more quality players added to the team, I expect coach Paul Offor to ‘cook’ something good.
Henry: Something is interesting about Rangers this season. From their new coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu to their young General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, Esq, and a Governor who seems ready to support and fund the team. Rangers seem like the new deal this season.
Randa: Sporting Lagos did a lot at the Naija Super 8 and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do this season. They have some exciting youngsters in their team too. Akwa United have improved their squad tremendously and if Osho gets them playing to his tune, it will be a good watch. Plenty of prospects there.
Jezil: Daniel Ogunmodede has transformed Remo Stars since his return from Portugal. They play some of the best football in the league and with the acquisitions of Tochukwu Micheal, Jide Fatokun, and Victor Collins, they will show the world why it was not a fluke that they finished second in the 2022/23 NPFL season.
Seyi: Shooting Stars of Ibadan is a team watch. The recruitment has been solid and I believe they’ll play fantastic football this term.
Mayowa: Sporting Lagos wowed everyone during the Naija Super 8 preseason tournament and with their noisy Lagos fans, I expect enough excitement on and off the pitch from Paul Offor’s boys. They have a blend of youth and experience and home games will be a feast for the likes of Nwokeji, Anukwu, Okon, and Nenrot.
What’s that one game anyone should not miss this season?
Felix: I am not sure if it is my Lagos bias playing strongly here but the South West derby between Remo and Sporting should be on everyone’s calendar. That’s a budding rivalry.
Henry: The meeting between the current champion, Enyimba, and the team they dethroned, Rivers United.
Randa: Kano Pillars against Katsina United.
Jezil: These are the exciting games one is not expected to miss: Enyimba vs. Rangers. Remo Stars vs. Shooting Stars. Kano Pillars vs. Katsina United. Kano Pillars vs. Enugu Rangers. Shooting Stars vs. Enugu Rangers.
Seyi: Enyimba vs. Bendel Insurance is going to be a cracker. The league champions against Cup holders, so, I’m looking forward to the match.
Mayowa: This season offers some mouth-watering games compared to last season (due to its abridged format). Kano Pillars and Katsina United’s return to the NNL means we have a North West Derby but due to my location, the one game not to miss is Remo Stars vs. Sporting Lagos (home or away). This is a tie between two young coaches when it comes to NPFL status, who have met three times already in off-season tournaments, are privately owned, and whose states of residence share borders. Expect fireworks, social media buzz, and some tactical battles in the two matches in Lagos and Ikenne.
How we think the NPFL will finish in 2023-24
All of the journalists in this article predicted the final order of the 2023-24 NPFL season. This table is an average of those predictions:
Our 2023-24 predicted NPFL table
