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Rivers United, Plateau United Clash as NPFL Invitational Tournament Kicks Off in Jos

Posted : 19 August 2026

The road to the 2026/2027 domestic and continental campaigns begins in Jos on Thursday as Rivers United and Plateau United headline the opening day of the 2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Invitational Pre-Season Tournament.

Rivers United, last season’s NPFL runners-up, will face hosts Plateau United in the curtain-raiser scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the New Jos Stadium on Zaria Road.

The opening-day programme will also see reigning Federation Cup champions El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri take on Jos-based Mighty Jets FC in the second fixture, beginning at 4 p.m.

The fixtures were unveiled during the official draw ceremony held on Wednesday evening at Crispan Hotel & Suites, Rayfield Road, Jos.

The six participating clubs have been divided into two groups:

Group A

  1. Rivers United

  2. Plateau United

  3. Rangers International

Group B

  1. El-Kanemi Warriors

  2. Mighty Jets

  3. Katsina United

The tournament is expected to provide an important platform for the participating clubs, particularly Nigeria’s representatives in the 2026/2027 CAF inter-club competitions, to fine-tune their squads ahead of the new season.

Rivers United received special recognition during the draw for their impressive run in last season’s CAF Champions League, where the Port Harcourt-based club reached the quarter-finals under coach Finidi George.

The NPFL Chief Operating Officer noted that Rivers United’s continental performance contributed significantly to Nigeria retaining its CAF coefficient and, consequently, its allocation of two places each in the Champions League and Confederation Cup.

However, Shooting Stars SC of Ibadan will miss the tournament despite their qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup. The Oluyole Warriors were disqualified after reportedly arriving in Jos with their Under-19 team instead of the required senior squad.

Katsina United subsequently took Shooting Stars’ place in the tournament.

The competition is expected to offer the six clubs valuable preparation ahead of the new NPFL season, while also giving Nigeria’s continental representatives an opportunity to sharpen their squads before their CAF campaigns begin.

 

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