The Nigeria Premier League is now to be known and addressed as the Nigeria Professional Football League.

This was part of a resolution reached between club owners and the Interim Management Board of the League led by Nduka Irabor on Friday.

Also, the Nigeria Premier League runners-up, Enugu Rangers, will host six-time champions, Enyimba, in another 'oriental derby' to open the league on Saturday, March 9.

In other opening games, according to the fixtures that was done on Friday at the FIFA goal project in Abuja, defending champions Kano Pillars will start their title defence away at Wikki Tourists; while there will be an Ilorin derby between ABS and Kwara United on Sunday.

The league will now be played as a regular season after the clubs rejected an abridged league proposal of the management board.

The club chairmen turned down the interim committee's plan to have the 2012/2013 season abridged because of the late kick-off.

"We want a full season and regular season, not an abridged league that the board wants. Because I don't see any reason why we have to follow the European football calendar and not the CAF calendar," a club official disclosed.

The 2012/ 2013 season may still commence without a sponsor despite the announcement of a resolution of the sponsorship controversy between two mobile telecommunication companies, Globacom and MTN.

NPL Week 1 fixtures:

Rangers Vs Enyimba

Heartland vs Nembe City

Nassarawa United vs El Kanemi Warrior

Akwa United vs Dolphin

Sharks vs Warri Wolves

Wikki Tourists vs Kano Pillars

Sunshine vs Kaduna United

Bayelsa United vs Lobi Stars

3SCvs Gombe United

ABS FC vs Kwara United