The first managerial exit of the 2026/27 NPFL season leaves newly promoted Inter Lagos bottom of the table and still searching for a first win.
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Shakiru Giwa has resigned as head coach of Inter Lagos, the first manager to leave his post in the 2026/27 NPFL season. As reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng, the club announced his exit on Tuesday through its official X account.
The newly promoted side haven’t won in their first eight matches and sit bottom of the table with two points. Plateau United, in third, have 14 points from the same number of games. It’s a rough start for a club making its NPFL debut.
Inter Lagos thanked Giwa in a statement, saying he had been an important part of the club’s journey. It singled out his role in leading the team from the Nigeria National League to the NPFL, and called that promotion a milestone in its history.
Promotion Hero, Winless Start
Giwa took charge in March 2025, and Inter Lagos earned promotion to the top flight in 2026. That achievement will stay in the club’s record, whatever happens next.
While the league sees its first coaching change of the season, fans following NPFL action can check the current Bet9ja promotion before the next round.
A Familiar Newcomer’s Struggle
Eight games without a win is a heavy burden for any promoted side. The NPFL punishes small mistakes, and teams stepping up from the NNL often need time to adjust to the pace.
Should a coach who delivered promotion go after eight games? Boards often say yes when the table looks this bleak. Giwa’s exit at least gives the club a clean break.
NPFL followers who fancy their own forecasting can try the Super9ja ₦10M prediction game alongside the weekend’s fixtures.
What Next For Inter Lagos
Inter Lagos are scheduled to face Nasarawa United on October 18. The club will want a quick answer to the coaching question before then.
According to Nigfooty, the club has also dissolved the rest of the technical crew, and no interim coach has been named yet.
Anyone tracking the NPFL table can also look at the latest Bet9ja promotion code before the next round.
Most of the season remains, so the table is no death sentence. The next coach inherits a squad that needs belief more than a rebuild.
📌 Did You Know?
- Inter Lagos were founded in 2023 by Lanre Vigo, Olumide Fayankin and Gatumi Aliyu, so the club is only three years old.
- Their eight-game winless start already matches the longest winless run of last season’s NPFL, set by Bendel Insurance.
- The club plays at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, which holds about 10,000 people. Its nicknames include Interlawa FC and The Pride of Lagos.
- Enugu Rangers won the 2025/26 title for a ninth time. Wikki Tourists, Bayelsa United, El-Kanemi Warriors and Remo Stars were relegated, opening places for the promoted sides.
- The league is now branded the Euromatch NPFL, following a reported $7.5 million title sponsorship deal.
- Giwa is the first coach to leave his job this season, ahead of every other NPFL club.
