Top 10 football clubs in Nigeria: Star players, fans, history of NPFL clubs
Results among the top 10 football clubs in Nigeria are a
testament to the unpredictability and fierce competition in African
football over in the recent past.
This unique characteristic among football clubs in Nigeria lies
in the fact that no team have managed to clinch the title twice in
succession during this period.
The dynamism of the top football clubs in Nigeria showcases the
intense battles that unfold on the pitch, creating an environment
where any team can rise to the occasion and claim the coveted
championship.
One of the significant challenges contributing to this
competitiveness is the sheer physicality of the top football clubs
in Nigeria.
Players endure rigorous matches, navigating through a demanding
schedule that often involves extensive travel nationwide.
Covering vast distances to reach match venues adds another layer
of difficulty, emphasising the league’s diverse landscape and the
dedication required from football clubs in Nigeria.
Enyimba won the NPFL title in the 2022/23 season, while in the
2021/22 season, Rivers United came out on top.
The honours for league winners in 2020/21 went to Uyo side Akwa
United as 2019 was cancelled, while in 2019, Enyimba won it, with
Kano Pillars coming second.
Top 10 football clubs in Nigeria
Enyimba Football
Club
- Base: Aba, Abia State
- Nickname: Peoples’ Elephant
- Colours: Blue and white
- Stadium: Enyimba International Stadium
- Capacity: 16,000
- Current Coach: Finidi George
Title/Trophies
won
- Nigeria League x9, CAF Champions League x2, FA Cup x4, Nigeria
Super x4, CAF Super Cup x2.
Media
History
Enyimba Football Club, based in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria, have a
rich history. Established in 1976, the club gained prominence in
the 2000s, earning the status of Nigeria’s most successful football
team.
Their accolades include two African Champions League titles,
nine Nigerian championships, and four Federation Cups since 2001.
Notably, their latest league triumph occurred in the 2022–23
season.
Media
Fan culture
The fans in Aba, passionately referred to as “Aba fans,”
contribute to the vibrant atmosphere on matchdays with spirited
chants like “eeeaaa’ during possession and “ooouu” when the
opposition gains control, coupled with the continuous beats of
drums and trumpets from the supporters’ club.
Enyimba FC fans, especially those in the Colombia stands, are
celebrated for their infectious energy and love for the game,
although passionate support is common among football clubs in
Nigeria.
Media
Notable players – past: Obinna Nwaneri,
Vincent Enyeama, Dele Ayenugba, Chinedu Udoji, Emeka Nwanna,
Romanus Ojinta, Ndidi Anumunu
Notable players – present: Pascal Eze,
Olorunleke Ojo, Daniel Daga, Chijioke Mbaoma, Bassa Djeri
Kano Pillars Football
Club
- Base: Kano, Kano State
- Nickname: Sai Masu Gida
- Colours: Yellow, green, white
- Stadium: Sani Abacha Stadium
- Capacity: 16,000
- Current Coach: Abdu Maikaba
Titles won:
- Nigeria League x4, Nigeria FA Cup x1, Nigeria Super Cup x1
History
Media
Founded in 1990 by former Chairman of the Nigeria Football
Federation Ibrahim Galadima, merged WRECA FC, Bank of the North FC,
and Kano Golden Stars and they morphed into Kano Pillars.
They are unarguably the most popular, and most followed side in
the north and have established themselves as one of the top 10
football clubs in Nigeria.
Media
Kano Pillars are famous for producing Super Eagles captain Ahmed
Musa as well as the late Super Eagles goalkeeper Abiodun Baruwa and
Ahmed ‘Yaro Yaro’ Garba, among others.
Fan culture
Kano Pillars have one of the most colourful fans in Nigeria,
with the flowing green and yellow gowns adorning the landscape of
the Sani Abacha Stadium. They are known to be very loud and
cultural, with their talking drums playing all through games,
singing songs of folklore, and stories about the ancient city of
Kano.
Notable players – past: Ahmed Garba, Yinka
Salihu, Gambo Mohammed, Kabiru Baleria, Akinkunmi Akinsehinde.
Notable players –
present: Rabiu Ali, Ibrahim
Abubakar, Ibrahim Galadima, Yusuf Abdullahi, Mustapha Ibrahim
Plateau United Football
Club
- Base: Jos, Plateau State
- Nickname: Peace Boys
- Colours: Yellow, green, white
- Stadium: New Jos Stadium
- Capacity: 30,000
- Current Coach: Mbwas Mangut
Titles won
- Nigerian League title: 1
- Nigerian FA Cup: 1
Media / David King
History
The team was established in 1975 as JIB Rocks Strikers before a
change of name in 1991 to Plateau United when the state wanted to
rebrand itself among the football clubs in Nigeria.
No football club in the state had won a national title after
almost nine attempts until 1999 when Plateau United defeated
Iwuanyanwu Nationale 1-0 in the final of the Nigeria FA Cup at the
National Stadium in Lagos.
They didn’t win anything major until 2017 when they won the
league under the tutelage of Kennedy Boboye, finally joining the
ranks of the top football clubs in Nigeria.
Fan
culture
Media / David King
Plateau fans pride themselves as the best and most vibrant in
the league with their matchday songs to support their team. The
fans always expose their ‘tifos’ at every game, to describe what
they feel that week.
There’s the added measure of an all-female regimental band that
plays acoustic music at every home game to add to the ambience and
atmosphere at the New Jos Stadium games.
Notable players – past: John Mikel Obi,
Patrick Mancha, Dajuma Isandu, Cornelius Gopar, Celestine
Babayaro
Notable players – present: Charles
Henlong, Benjamin Turba, Albert Hilary, Nenrot Silas, Daniel
Itodo
Akwa United Football
Club
- Base: Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
- Nickname: Promise Keepers
- Colours: Orange and white
- Stadium: Nest of Champions, Uyo
- Capacity: 30,000
- Current coach: Umar Abdullahi
Titles won
- Nigeria League: 1
- Nigeria FA Cup: 2
- Nigeria Super Cup: 1
United
History
In 1996, the late Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi, a sports
enthusiast and Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State, tasked
CAF General Coordinator Paul Bassey with establishing one of the
football clubs in Nigeria.
Within three months, Bassey struck gold, discovering that Nitel
was disbanding its Enugu-based club, Nitel Vasco Da Gama. After
negotiations in Lagos, Akwa Ibom secured the acquisition and
renamed it Ibom Stars Football Club.
The team debuted in the 1996/1997 Pro League season, led by
Pioneer Chairman Barrister Assam Assam and coached by Bernard Ogbe.
The Uyo Township Stadium served as their home ground, with a red
jersey for home matches and white for away games.
Media
Fans
culture
Akwa United fans are known for their flamboyant dresses, which
usually come in orange and white. Every home game is a carnival as
they hold a small gathering before games around the stadium before
making a grand entrance into the stands. They sing mostly religious
songs and war songs popular among people from Akwa Ibom State.
Notable players – past: Mfon Udoh,
Emmanuel Ariwa, Orok Akarandut, Emmanuel Ekpo, Itoroh Akpan
Notable players – present: Jean Efala,
Wisdom Ndon, David Phillip, Ubong Friday, Seyi Oguntayo
Remo Stars Football
Club
- Base: Ikenne, Ogun State
- Nickname: Sky Blue Stars
- Colours: Skyblue, White
- Stadium: Remo Stars Stadium
- Capacity: 6,000
- Current Coach: Daniel Ogunmodede
Titles won – Nil
History
Founded in 2004 by Mr. Kunle Soname, the grassroots football
club in Ketu, Lagos, originally named FC Dender of Lagos, aimed to
provide a platform for youth development and recreation.
Its evolution into REMO STARS Sports Club in 2011 marked a shift
to Ikenne, Ogun State, emphasising rebranding and a newfound
identity aimed at becoming one of the premier football clubs in
Nigeria.
Under Osho Fatai’s guidance, the club experienced professional
growth, adopting the distinctive Sugar Concept playing style.
Despite notable performances, Fatai Osho and the club parted ways
at the end of the 2013 season.
Remo Stars FC secured its first promotion to the Nigeria
Professional Football League in the 2015/2016 NNL season but faced
relegation in the subsequent Premier League season.
Sport
Managed by Nduka Ugbade and later Kennedy Boboye, the club
navigated ups and downs, culminating in the establishment of a
robust
youth academy system in 2016 under Daniel Ogunmodede’s
leadership.
Despite inconsistency in the Premier League, Remo Stars FC
demonstrated resilience, securing promotion through the 2017/2018
Super 8 Play-offs competition in Aba, Abia State. The club’s
journey reflects its commitment to youth development and navigating
the challenges as they seek to become one of the top 10 football
clubs in Nigeria.
Fan
culture
Sport
The supporters of Remo Stars are self-sustained; they put on the
jerseys of the club on match days. They sing mostly Yoruba songs
such as ‘Gbemisoke, Gbewadide,’ and others relative to the base of
the club.
Notable stars – past: Victor Mbaoma, Oche
Salifu, Ekene Awazie, Awoyemi Abdulrasheed, Ebenezer
Akinsanmiro
Notable players – present: Sikiru Alimi,
Kayode Bankole, Dayo Ojo, Junior Nduka, Adebayo Abayomi, Sodiq
Ismail.
Rivers United Football
Club
- Base: Port Harcourt, Rivers State
- Nickname: Pride of Rivers
- Colours: Blue, White
- Stadium: Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium
- Capacity: 30,000
- Current Coach: Stanley Eguma
Titles: NPFL – 1
Sport
History
Rivers United was established in 2016 following the
amalgamation of two Rivers State clubs, Dolphins and Sharks FC. The
two clubs were merged to form a football club in Nigeria known as
Rivers United.
Fans culture
Like the club, fans of Rivers United adore their club and take
great pride in the club. United fans can be found sporting the
famous blue kits, with blue and white merchandise while singing
popular songs specific to football clubs in Nigeria.
Sport
Notable players: Victor Sochima, Bernard
Ovoke, Ebube Duru, Theophilus Afelokhai, Sunday Rotimi, Azubuike
Egwueke.
Notable players – present: Nyima Nwagua,
Victor Sochima, Kazie Enyinnaya, Joseph Onoja, Williams Ukeme
Lobi Stars Football
Club
- Base: Makurdi, Benue State
- Nickname: Shoe Get Size, Alia Boys
- Colours: Blue, Red, Black, White
- Stadium: Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi
- Capacity: 8,000
- Current Coach: Eugene Agagbe
Titles won: Nigerian League 1, Nigeria
Super Cup 1, Nigeria FA Cup 1
Media
History
Founded in 1981 as Hawks of Makurdi by the Benue State Sports
Council, the football club underwent several name changes due to
ownership shifts.
Initially renamed Benue Breweries Limited (BBL) Hawks Football
Club in 1985, the club saw another transformation when state-owned
Lobi Bank acquired it in 1990, becoming Lobi Bank Football
Club.
In 1999, under coach Godwin Koko Uwua, Lobi Stars clinched the
maiden edition of the Nigerian Super League, a new format
introduced in the Nigeria Football League, firmly writing their
names in the history books as one of the top 10 football clubs in
Nigeria.
The club achieved another milestone in 2003 by securing its
first and only FA Cup title, defeating Sharks FC of Port-Harcourt.
However, they faced defeat in the 2005 domestic FA Cup finals
against Enyimba, arguably the most noteworthy among the top 10
football clubs in Nigeria.
In the 2008–09 season, Lobi Stars narrowly avoided relegation by
one point, securing 13 wins, 10 draws, and 15 losses. They
currently play at the Lafia City Stadium due to renovation work at
the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.
Fan culture
Media
Lobi Stars fans exhibit a close attachment to the team and the
rich cultural heritage of Benue State by decking themselves in the
three dominant colours of the three major tribes in the state. Red,
Black, and White are usually seen around the stadium on match days,
with trumpets and drums a major part of the culture of the fans
when Lobi Stars play.
Notable stars – past: Anthony Okpotu,
Moses Orkuma, Terhelum Imadu, Tersoo Akile, Benedict Atule, Ogar
Odey
Notable players – present: Amadu Liman,
Kumaga Suur, Samuel Tiza, Chinedu Sunday, Barnabas Imenger
Rangers International Football
Club
- Base: Enugu, Enugu State
- Nickname: Flying Antelopes
- Colours: Red, White
- Stadium: Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu
- Capacity: 25,000
- Current Coach: Fidelis Ilechukwu
Titles won: Nigerian League x7, Nigeria FA
Cup x6, CAF Cup Winners Cup 1
History
Media
Rangers Int’L F.C of Enugu came into existence by the
instrumentality of the legendary sports administrator, Late (Sir)
Jerry Enyeazu and other like-minded personalities on February 25,
1970. Enyeazu came up with the idea of forming the club to
positively engage the millions of youths just coming out from the
trauma of war.
Within a few years of its formation, the impact was felt
throughout the country and continent. Rangers remain the only club
among its contemporaries that has maintained its top-flight status
since its formation. It’s no surprise then that they are regarded
as one of the top 10 football clubs in Nigeria.
Fan culture
Media
Rangers fans are among the most passionate among football clubs
in Nigeria and are well known for their drumming and choreographed
clapping and dancing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. They always
appear in red and white outfits on match-day and are known as
Rangers International Supporters Club with over 15 thousand
registered members.
Notable stars – past: Christian Chukwu,
Emmanuel Okala, Ernest Ufele, Dominic Nwodobo, Chisom Egbuchulam,
Okey Odita, John Nnam.
Notable stars – present: Detan Ogundare,
Kalu Nweke, Kazeem Ogunleye, Godwin Obaje, Saviour Isaac
Kwara United Football
Club
- Base: Ilorin, Kwara State
- Nickname: Harmony Boys, Afonja Warriors
- Colours: Yellow, Green, White
- Stadium: Kwara Stadium Complex
- Capacity: 18,000
- Current Coach: Kabir Dogo
Titles won:
- Nigeria Premier League regular season champions, 2006.
- National Second division 1997
Media
History
Kwara United Football Club traces its origins to the Kwara Water
Corporation Football Club in 1974, initially established for Water
Corporation staff. Its success led to an expanded scope, and by
1979, it qualified for the National League second division.
The club faced financial challenges and changed names multiple
times, eventually becoming Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin in
1997 as they became one of the football clubs in Nigeria. Despite
setbacks, the club secured third place in the 2006 Super Four
play-off, earning a spot in the 2007 CAF Confederation Cup.
Notable coaching staff included Swedes Roger Palmgren and Johan
Eriksson. Relegated in the 2007/08 season, they swiftly regained
promotion the following year as Division 1-A champions. With an
Investment Consultant appointed, the club aims for privatisation
and increased private sector involvement in funding within two
years.
Fan culture
Media
Kwara United fans love to dress in their native attire with the
club’s matching colours while using drums to ginger the players on
the pitch. They have a lot of Yoruba folklore songs that they chant
to create a great atmosphere on game day.
Notable stars – past: Taofeek Babatunde,
Lukman Ijaiya
Notable players – present: Dele Aiyenugba,
Afeez Nosiru, Kabir Balogun, Adewale Adeyinka, Iasiah Ejeh
Sunshine Stars Football
Club
- Base: Akure, Ondo State
- Nickname: Akure Gunners, Owena Waves
- Colors: Orange, Blue, and White
- Stadium: Ondo State Sports Complex
- Capacity: 5,000
- Current Coach: Kennedy Boboye
Titles won
National Second Division x2
Media
History
Founded in 1995 by the Ondo State government, the club has been
in and about in the Nigeria National League and the Nigeria Premier
Football League. They won the NNL in 2001 and 2007 from 2011 and
2012 when they made the semi-finals of the CAF Confederations Cup
and the CAF Champions League in two years, a remarkable achievement
among football clubs in Nigeria.
Fan culture
Media
One of the most vociferous fans in the league who sing as
loud as they can during matches to cheer their team. Sometimes,
they have a mascot come out during games to create some sort of
entertainment.
Like most football clubs in Nigeria, they use drums and trumpets
to sing songs during their matches and create a carnival-type
atmosphere during their matches.
Notable stars – past: Godfrey Oboabona,
Tamen Medrano, Okiki Afolabi, Tunde Adeniji
Notable players – present: Mafeng Pam,
David Ariyo, Sunday Abe, Yakubu Habib, Seun Olunlayo