Six NPFL Clubs Set for Jos Pre-Season Tournament Ahead of New Season

Posted : 14 August 2026

Six Nigerian clubs are set to compete in a pre-season tournament in Jos as preparations intensify for the 2026/27 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign. Rangers International, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors will headline the event, with Plateau United and Mighty Jets completing the six-team field.

The tournament is scheduled for August 18 to 23 at the New Jos Stadium. It will give the participating teams an opportunity to improve match fitness, assess new players and work on tactical plans before competitive football begins.

The involvement of four clubs preparing for continental football adds further importance to the tournament. Rangers and Rivers United will use the games to strengthen their squads ahead of their CAF commitments, while Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors will also benefit from high-level preparation against familiar domestic opposition.

Rangers enter the new campaign as the defending NPFL champions. The Enugu club finished the 2025/26 season top of the table with 68 points from 38 matches, while Rivers United were runners-up with 67 points. Shooting Stars finished third with 60 points, showing the quality of the teams expected to feature in Jos.

The tournament will also provide valuable preparation for Plateau United and Mighty Jets. Their participation gives the Jos-based clubs the chance to test themselves against established NPFL sides while enjoying home conditions during the competition.

For the coaches, the tournament could be particularly useful for evaluating squad depth. With the new season approaching, teams will need to balance domestic commitments with continental schedules, making player rotation and fitness important factors.

The 2026/27 NPFL season is scheduled to begin between August 28 and 30. The league's official calendar was released in June, with organisers aiming for a more structured domestic season and better coordination with continental competitions.

The Jos tournament therefore comes less than two weeks before the new league campaign. It should provide the six clubs with a final opportunity to assess their readiness before the competitive season begins.

For Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors, the games will be especially important as they prepare for a demanding schedule that includes continental football. Plateau United and Mighty Jets, meanwhile, will look to make the most of the opportunity to measure their progress against some of Nigeria's leading clubs.

Six NPFL Clubs Set for Jos Pre-Season Tournament Ahead of New Season

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics