2010–11 Nigeria Premier League


The 2010–11 Nigeria Premier League was the 40th season of the competition since its inception, and the 21st since the rebranding of the league as the "Professional League". Enyimba International were the defending champions.
The season was originally supposed to start 25 September, then was delayed to 2 October. However after a series of meetings and threatened lawsuits, the league announced that it would play with 24 teams, including the four teams relegated from the previous season. The tentative compromise plans included two divisions of 12 teams each with the top two making the season-ending Super Four, mirroring the league's format in the 2006 and 2007 seasons. This idea was canceled by the NPL on October 7 and the league returned to 20 teams for the season.
The season was delayed again to start the weekend of 23 October, and delayed yet again to 6 November because of issues with the assignment of referees.
Due to enforcement of minimum pitch standards, several teams have been made to play in different stadiums outside their home cities.
The second half of the season began 11 May after a six-week break, including two delays for national elections. The season was finished on 13 November 2011 after another six-week delay to allow for the Federation Cup and teams playing on the continent to concentrate on their fixtures.

Clubs

Team nameHome cityHome venueFirst year of current stint in League
Bukola BabesIlorinKwara State Stadium/Tafawa Balewa Stadium2010
Crown FCOgbomoshoIlaro Stadium2010
DolphinsPort HarcourtLiberation Stadium2009
Enugu RangersEnuguNnamdi Azikiwe Stadium1973
EnyimbaAbaEnyimba International Stadium1994
Gombe UnitedGombeAbubarkar Tafawa Balewa Stadium/Pantami Stadium1994
HeartlandOwerriDan Anyiam Stadium/U.J. Esuene Stadium1975
JUTH F.C.JosRwang Pam Stadium/Kaduna Township Stadium2010
Kaduna UnitedKadunaKaduna Township Stadium2008
Kano PillarsKanoSani Abacha Stadium2001
Kwara UnitedIlorinKwara State Stadium/Offa Stadium/MKO Abiola Stadium2009
Lobi StarsMakurdiJalingo City Stadium/Aper Aku Stadium1999
Niger TornadoesMinnaMinna Township Stadium2003
Ocean BoysBrassSamson Siasia Stadium2006
Plateau UnitedJosRwang Pam Stadium/Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium2010
SharksPort HarcourtSharks Stadium2008
Shooting StarsIbadanMKO Abiola Stadium/Liberty Stadium2009
Sunshine StarsAkureGateway Stadium 2007
Warri WolvesWarriWarri Township Stadium2008
Zamfara UnitedGusauSardauna Memorial Stadium/Sani Abacha Stadium2007

League table

Personnel and kits

News

TeamOutgoing managerManner of departureDate of vacancyIncoming managerDate of appointment
Warri WolvesLawrence Akpokonafiredend of 2009-10 season Paul Aigbogun2 September 2010
Kwara United Justin Tengerfiredend of 2009-10 season Kadiri Ikhana17 July 2010
Sunshine StarsSolomon OgbeidefiredAug. 18 2010 Gbenga OgunboteAug. 18 2010
Gombe UnitedBen DuamlongResignedOct.8 2010 Bernard OgbeNov. 5 2010
Heartland Samson Siasiaresigned to take Super Eagles jobDec. 1 2010 Lodewijk de KruifFeb. 7 2011
Niger Tornadoes Ladan BossofiredNov. 26 2010 Samson Unuanel Nov. 26 2010
Crown F.C.Ganiyu SalamifiredJan. 22 2011 Oladunni OyekaleJan. 22 2011
Kano Pillars F.C.Salisu Yusufresigned to become Super Eagles assistantJan. 1 2011 Ladan BossoJan. 23 2011
Niger Tornadoes Samson Unuanelinterim period endsFeb. 6 2011 Justin TengerFeb. 6 2011
JUTH F.C.Tunde AbdulrahmanfiredFeb. 17 2011 Emmanuel DeutschFeb. 28 2011
Ocean Boys F.C.Larry EcelifiredMay 20, 2011 Samson UnuanelMay 20, 2011
Bukola Babes F.C.Festus Allensuspended/resignedJune 8, 2011 Kabiru SulaimanJune 8, 2011