By Daily Sports Nigeria on August 22, 2025

The 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League begins on Friday (today), with the winners and runner-up in the previous campaign facing off at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Champions Remo Stars, who won their first-ever NPFL title last season, welcome 2022 champions Rivers United, who finished second last season.

The Sky Blue Stars have adopted the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta as their temporary home ground, pending the completion of renovation works at their stadium in Ikenne.

Now they hope to turn the ground into a fortress as they begin their title defence in the capital city of Ogun State.

Today’s meeting will be the 12th between both teams, and Rivers United hold the bragging rights in terms of head-to-head.

They have won seven of their previous meetings, with three ending in draws. Remo Stars’ only win in the head-to-head came in May 2024, a 2-1 win during the run-in to the 2023/24 season which was won by Rangers International.

Both teams met twice during pre-season, and the Port Harcourt side still maintained their competitive edge, beating the reigning league champions 3-0 during the Eko International Cup before settling for a 0-0 draw at the Value Jet Cup.

If that would tell on their performances this season, it is a question of personnel, and both clubs have been busy adding fresh legs to their squads.

Rivers United coach, Finidi George, has swooped in and bolstered his squad with a mix of experience and youth that has included the arrivals of goalkeepers Ani Ozoemena and John Noble, as well as Nsi Effimi, Rivio Ayemwenre, Anthony Omaka, Seyi Oguntayo, Chinedu Sunday, Azeez Falolu, Isaac Annor, among others.

Finidi has also reunited with his trusted ally, Yemi Olanrewaju, his assistant, to further strengthen their coaching staff.

On the other hand, the first game of the season might come too soon for Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede, who has been away with the Super Eagles B at the 2024 CHAN tournament. His assistant, Sulaiman Kamil, who handled about 10 games in their title run last season, is likely to be in charge of the opening fixture.

Nine of their players were also in the Super Eagles B team for the CHAN tournament, and they might as well be missing this game.

However, the champions have brought in Malian duo Chaka Coulibaly and Adama Goita to underscore their ambition to keep their title for another season, as well as Victor Mbaoma, who returns to the club for a third time, experienced goalkeeper Kolimba Alladoum and Chigozie Chilekwu.

Last season, Rivers United took four points from both legs of this fixture and finished 10 points behind Remo in the title chase. A vital point in Abeokuta could form part of their highs for the season, as they hope to challenge for the title again.

Source Punch Ng

Posted August 22, 2025

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