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.
Enyimba were the defending champions from the 2019 season but failed to defend their title after finishing third on the table.
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.
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
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
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. 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.
Teams information
Clubs The league consisted of 20 teams from the previous season.
Team Location Stadium Head coachAbia WarriorsUmuahiaOkigwe Stadium Imama AmapakaboAdamawa UnitedYolaPantami Stadium Justin MaduguAkwa United F.C.UyoGodswill Akpabio International Stadium Kennedy BoboyeDakkadaUyo Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Lawrence KingsleyEnugu RangersEnuguNnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Salisu YusufEnyimbaAbaEnyimba International Stadium Fatai OshoHeartland F.C.OwerriOkigwe Stadium Fidelis IlechukwuIfeanyi Ubah F.C.NnewiIfeanyi Ubah FC International Stadium Uche OkagbueJigawa Golden StarsDutseAhmadu Bello Stadium Gilbert OpanaKano PillarsKanoAhmadu Bello Stadium Ibrahim MusaKatsina UnitedKatsinaMuhammadu Dikko Stadium Azeez MohammedKwara UnitedIlorinKwara State Stadium Abdullahi BiffoLobi StarsMakurdiAper Aku Stadium Kabiru DogoMFM F.C.LagosAgege Stadium Gabriel OlalekanNasarawa UnitedLafiaLafia Township Stadium Bala NikyuPlateau UnitedJosNew Jos Stadium Abdul MaikabaRivers UnitedPort HarcourtYakubu Gowon Stadium Stanley EgumaSunshine StarsAkureAkure Township Stadium Deji AyeniWarri WolvesWarriDelta State Polytechnic Stadium Ortega DeniranWikki Tourists F.C.BauchiAbubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bala Jibrin
Managerial changes TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of departureIncoming managerDate ofappointmentJigawa Golden Stars Dodo IsahSacked20 January Gilbert Opana20 JanuaryKatsina United Bishir SadaukiEnd of interim management21 January Baldwin Bazuaye21 JanuaryMFMTony BulusResignation 10 February Gabriel Olalekan 22 FebruaryKano Pillars Lionel SoccoïaResignation16 March Ibrahim Musa17 MarchWarri Wolves Evans OgenyiSacked17 March Ortega Deniran20 MayKatsina UnitedBaldwin BazuayeDemotion to assistant coach3 May Azeez Mohammed3 MayWikki Tourists Usman Abd'AllahResignation18 May Bala Jibrin20 MaySunshine Stars Gbenga OgunboteResignation27 May Deji Ayeni1 June
Summary League table
Results
Positions by round
Statistics Scoring Top scorers Rank Player Club Goals1 Silas NwankwoNasarawa United19 Charles AtshimeneAkwa United3 Rabiu AliKano Pillars14 Michael OhanuKwara United5 Zulkifilu RabiuPlateau United13 Sad'eeq YusufSunshine Stars7 Ossy MartinsLobi Stars11 Chukwuemeka ObiomaAbia Warriors9 Jude StevenKwara United10 Christian NnajiEnugu Rangers Samuel StoneJigawa Golden Stars
Hattricks Player For Against Result Date Kwara UnitedAdamawa United5–0 (H) Nasarawa UnitedAbia Warriors5–3 (H) Wikki TouristsIfeanyiubah4–3 (H) Kwara UnitedWikki Tourists3–1 (H) Abia WarriorsAdamawa United5–1 (H)Akwa UnitedMFM5–2 (H) Notes (H) – Home team
Top assists Updated to match(es) played on 11 April 2021 Rank Player Club Assists1 Auwalu Ali MalamKano Pillars62 Umwana AsuquoDakkada5 Stephen JudeKwara United4 Ndifreke EffiongAkwa United4 Christian EkongDakkadaEnyimba Elijah AkanniMFM
Clean sheets Rank Player Club Clean sheets1 Dele AiyenugbaKwara United16 Adewale AdeyinkaAkwa United3 Stanley NwabaliLobi Stars144 Abubakar AdamuPlateau United10 Sharp UzoigweIfeanyiubah6 Chinedu AnoziePlateau United8 Chijioke EjioguHeartland
Awards Monthly awards MonthManager of the MonthPlayer of the MonthReferencesManagerClubPlayerClubJanuary Gbenga OgunboteSunshine Stars Sad'eeq YusufSunshine StarsFebruary Fatai OshoEnyimba Ndifreke EffiongAkwa United
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.
References
External links Nigeria 2020/21 RSSSF