| Season | 2020–2021 |
|---|---|
| Relegated | |
| Champions League | |
| Confederation Cup | |
| Matches | 380 |
| Goals | 789 (2.08 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Silas Nwankwo &Charles Atshimene (19 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Kwara 5–0Adamawa (21 March 2021) |
| Highest scoring | Nasarawa 5–3 Abia Warriors (28 March 2021) |
| Longest winning run | Kano Pillars &Enyimba (4 matches) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Akwa United (18 matches) |
| Longest winless run | Sunshine Stars (18 matches) |
| Longest losing run | Adamawa United (5 matches) |
2021–22 → All statistics correct as of 6 August 2021. | |
The2020–21Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) was the 50th season of the top flight league in theNigeria 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 the2019 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, theLeague Management Company announced that the league would start on 27 December 2020 with all matches playedbehind closed doors.[3]
This season featured the 20 teams from the2019–20 season as no clubs were promoted nor relegated as the season was cancelled due to theCOVID-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 onNPFL TV and onNTA.
On 1 August 2021,Akwa United won their first NPFL title after a convincing 5–2 home win overMFM 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 Pillars2019–20 13-match unbeaten sequence.
Warri Wolves,Jigawa Golden Stars,Ifeanyiubah andAdamawa United were all confirmed relegated at the end of the campaign.
Nasarawa's Silas Nwankwo won theEunisell golden boot award as the league topscorer for scoring lesser penalties having been tied with Akwa United's Charles Atshimene.[7]
The league consisted of 20 teams from theprevious season.
| 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 |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akwa United(C) | 38 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 53 | 24 | +29 | 71 | Qualification for theChampions League |
| 2 | Rivers United | 38 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 50 | 34 | +16 | 66 | |
| 3 | Enyimba | 38 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 41 | 33 | +8 | 66 | Qualification for theConfederation 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 theNational 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 |
| 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 |
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 ╲ Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abia Warriors | 16 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Adamawa United | 9 | 15 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Akwa United | 11 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Dakkada | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| Enugu Rangers | 17 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Enyimba | 5 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Heartland | 13 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Ifeanyi Ubah | 6 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Jigawa GS | 7 | 7 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 18 |
| Kano Pillars | 10 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Katsina United | 2 | 14 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| Kwara United | 1 | 5 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Lobi Stars | 18 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| MFM | 3 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| Nasarawa United | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Plateau United | 20 | 18 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Rivers United | 8 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Sunshine Stars | 19 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 |
| Warri Wolves | 14 | 9 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 |
| Wikki Tourists | 15 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 15 |
| Leader | |
| 2021–22 CAF Champions League | |
| 2021–22 CAF Confederation Cup | |
| Relegation toNigeria National League |
| 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 |
| 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 |
(H) – Home team
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | |
The golden boot award was won by Nasarawa'sSilas Nwankwo. He won having scored lesser penalties than Akwa United'sCharles Atshimene as they were tied at 19 goals.[7]
