The 2012 Nigeria Premier League is the 41st season of the competition since its inception, and the 22nd since the rebranding of the league as the "Professional League".
Sixteen teams from the previous season and four teams promoted from the Nigeria National League (Akwa United, Rising Stars, Jigawa Golden Stars and Wikki Tourists) are participating in this season.
The season was originally due to start November 26, 2011, less than a month after the conclusion of the previous season due to many long delays by the NFF.One month offseason for NPL The date was pushed back to January 2012 to give time to organize and to sort out the league's sponsorship and scheduled to run to July.
Clubs
Team nameHome cityHome venueFirst year of current stint in LeagueABSIlorinKwara State Stadium2010Akwa UnitedUyoUyo Township Stadium/UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar2011DolphinsPort HarcourtLiberation Stadium2009Enugu Rangers EnuguNnamdi Azikiwe Stadium1973EnyimbaAbaEnyimba International Stadium1994Gombe United GombePantami Stadium1994Heartland OwerriDan Anyiam Stadium1975Jigawa Golden StarsDutseHadejia Stadium2011Kaduna United KadunaKaduna Township Stadium2008Kano PillarsKanoSani Abacha Stadium/Hadejia Stadium2001Kwara United IlorinKwara State Stadium2009Lobi Stars MakurdiEmmanuel Atongo Stadium, Katsina-Ala/Aper Aku Stadium/Old Parade Ground1999Niger Tornadoes MinnaMinna Township Stadium2003Ocean Boys BrassSamson Siasia Stadium2006Rising StarsAkureGateway Stadium (Ijebu Ode)/Akure Township Stadium2011SharksPort HarcourtSharks Stadium2008Shooting Stars IbadanAwolowo Stadium/MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta2009Sunshine StarsAkureAkure Township Stadium2007Warri Wolves WarriWarri Township Stadium2008Wikki TouristsBauchiAbubarkar Tafawa Balewa Stadium2011
League table
News - In addition to the Kaduna United v Jigawa week 1 game, te entire week 2 schedule was postponed due to the nationwide general strike protesting the removal of the national fuel subsidy. - Two matchday 4 matches were cancelled: SUnshine Stars FC was robbed on the way to their game with Lobi, and Kano Pillars vs Enyimba was postponed after a bombing attributed to Boko Haram. Pillars eventually announced they were moving games to Jigawa's Hadeja Stadium. The league relented and allowed Pillars to play in Kano behind closed doors. - A week 11 match was postponed when Wikki Tourists were robbed on their way to Warri.
Team of the Year From MTNFootball
GK- Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves) DF- Namso Edo (Akwa United) DF- Mutiu Adegoke (3SC) DF- Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves) DF- Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars F.C.) MF- Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers) MF- Philip Asuquo (3SC) MF- Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars) FW- Mohammed Gambo (Kano Pillars) FW- Abdulrahman Bashir (ABS FC) FW- Sibi Gwar (Niger Tornadoes) Coach-Mohammed Baba Ganaru (Kano Pillars)
Reserves GK: Moses Ocheje (Sunshine Stars) D: ThankGod Ike (Warri Wolves) D/M:Chinedu Efugh (Heartland) M: David Tyavkase (Lobi Stars) M: Abduljaleel Ajagun (Dolphin) F: Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars) F: Chikeluba Ofoedu (Rangers)
Managerial (head coach) changes TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyIncoming managerDate of appointmentEnyimbaFelix EmordiResignedEnd of 2010-11 SeasonAbdu MaikabaEnyimba appoint new head coach Abdu MaikabaNov. 26 2011Shooting StarsFatai AmooResignedEnd of 2010-11 SeasonFestus AllenDec. 30 2011Enugu RangersAlphonsus DikeResignedDike quits Enugu RangersEnd of 2010-11 SeasonFelix EmordiDec. 23 2011Wikki TouristsHassan AbubukarContract not renewedEnd of 2010-11 SeasonLadan BossoDec. 23 2011Warri WolvesPaul AigbogunFamily reasonsWolves snag CooremanFeb. 20, 2012Maurice CooremanFeb. 20 2012Kaduna UnitedMaurice CooremanResignedFeb. 20, 2012Saleh Tanko LatoABSErasmus OnuhSackedABS throw out OnuhFeb. 27, 2012Kabiru Suleiman Dogo (interim)Feb. 27, 2012Shooting StarsFestus AllenSackedMar. 26, 2012Tunde Odubola/Busari AkeemShooting Stars fire AllenMar. 26, 2012
References
External links Official website Official NFF website