2020–21_Nigeria_Professional_Football_League

2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League

2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League

Nigeria Professional Football League season


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]

Quick Facts Season, Relegated ...

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

Clubs

The league consisted of 20 teams from the previous season.

  1. Abia Warriors played their first two home games at the Enyimba International Stadium.

Managerial changes

More information Team, Outgoing manager ...

Summary

League table

More information Pos, Team ...
Source: NPFL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) Champions

Results

More information Home \ Away, ABW ...
Source: NPFL
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
Notes:
  1. 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]
  2. 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

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.

More information Team ╲ Round, Abia Warriors ...
Leader
2021–22 CAF Champions League
2021–22 CAF Confederation Cup
Relegation to Nigeria National League


Statistics

Scoring

Top scorers

More information Rank, Player ...

Hattricks

More information Player, For ...
Notes


(H) – Home team

Top assists

Updated to match(es) played on 11 April 2021

More information Rank, Player ...

Clean sheets

More information Rank, Player ...

Awards

Monthly awards

More information Month, Manager of the Month ...

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

  1. "LMC affirms December 27 date for league kickoff". Guardian.ng. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  2. "Jigawa new coach proud of Dakkada's feat". kick442.com. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  3. "Katsina United unveils coach Bazuaye". blueprint.ng. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  4. "No crisis in MFM FC - Goodwin Enakhena". bsnsports.com. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  5. "MFM names Olalekan Gabriel new head coach". Guardian.ng. 23 February 2021.
  6. "Warri Wolves sack Evans Ogenyi". brila.net. 17 March 2021.
  7. "Usman Abd'Allah leaves Wikki Tourists". busybuddiesng.com. 18 May 2021.
  8. "Wikki Tourists whip FC Ifeanyiubah". TheEagleOnline.com.ng. 13 June 2021.

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