2020–21 Nigeria Professional Football League
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.
| Season | 2020–2021 |
|---|---|
| Relegated |
|
| Champions League |
|
| Confederation Cup | |
| Matches played | 380 |
| Goals scored | 789 (2.08 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Silas Nwankwo & Charles Atshimene (19 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Kwara 5–0 Adamawa (21 March 2021) |
| Highest scoring | Nasarawa 5–3 Abia Warriors (28 March 2021) |
| Longest winning run | Kano Pillars & Enyimba (4 matches) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Akwa United (18 matches) |
| Longest winless run | Sunshine Stars (18 matches) |
| Longest losing run | Adamawa United (5 matches) |
← 2019–20 2021–22 →
All statistics correct as of 6 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.