TheCable

The 2016/2017 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) begins across the country on Saturday.

Champions Rangers are aiming to defend the title with a home match against Abia Warriors.

After the wait, Kano Pillars will open the season by hosting IfeanyiUbah.

Despite winning the title, Rangers’ preparation for the new campaign has been below standard.

They suffered a setback in their Charity Cup loss to IfeanyiUbah FC during the week.

The league champions lost 4-3 on penalties. They had earlier lost the Super 4 title to Rivers United.

Rivers United remains the team to beat, putting into view their preparation, the team won the Super 4 and also went on pre-season tour of La Liga, Spain.

Former champions, Kano Pillars and Enyimba will be hopeful of coming back fully this season.

IfeanyiUbah, Wikki Tourists and Akwa United have shown that they are not push overs and will be hopeful of also winning the title.

The four newly-promoted teams: Remo Stars, Gombe United, Katsina United and ABS will surely have their hands full in the new season.

Rivers United will start with a home game against El-Kanemi Warriors, while the newly-promoted Katsina United and Gombe United entertain each others in Katsina.

Plateau United will be the guest of Remo Stars in Ogun, as MFM play host to Niger Tornadoes in Lagos.

For the second year running, Shooting Stars will start their season at home to Lobi Stars, with Sunshine Stars taking a trip to Calabar, the adopted home of Enyimba, for a date with the two-time CAF Champions League winner.

ABS will be at home to Akwa United, while Wikki play host to Nasarawa United.