Cup Holders Akwa Utd, Kwara Utd, in Flying Start of New NPFL Season
Cup holders, Akwa United opened the defence of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) title they won last season with a resounding 3-0 home win against former champions Kano Pillars at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The big win was however one of the goal feasts that characterized the Match-day 1 of the new season of the Nigerian topflight that kicked off officially with the Remo Stars 2-0 victory at MFM FC of Lagos on Friday.
Ezekiel Bassey scored the first goal of the new season at the Nest of Champions to give the Promise Keepers the edge over the Sai Masu Gida just before half time. Stephen Chukwude and Friday Ubong got the job done perfectly well with the two other goals.
In Aba, record champions Enyimba who got walked over in Benghazi, Libya in a CAF Confederation Cup took consolation in their 2-1 win over local rivals Abia Warriors.
The derby was set alive in the 34th minute when new signing Ekene Awaziem handed the People’s Elephant the lead but the Warriors equalized in the 50th minute through Paul Samson.
However, it was another new signing Chinedu Obasi who scored the winner in the 77th minute for Enyimba who are now on an eight-match unbeaten run against Abia Warriors.
In Katsina, it was a winning start for NPFL giants, Enugu Rangers as they held on to a 1-2 away win at the Mohammed Dikko Stadium.
The Flying Antelopes took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to a goal from Ossy Martins in his first competitive game. The hosts, Katsina United clawed back through Salisu Mustapha.
It was Rangers that would have the last laugh as Ossy Martins completed his brace in the 54th minute. The former NPFL champions ended the match with ten men after goalkeeper Mutawakilu Seidu was sent off for a second bookable offence.
In Makurdi, last season’s runner up, Rivers United started its 2022 campaign with an away 1-1 draw against Lobi Stars.
Rabiu Kayode Ishaq silenced the home crowd at the Aper Aku Stadium when he handed The Pride of Rivers the lead in the 27th minute but Barnabas Imenger Junior equalized just after half time as both teams shared the spoils.
Kwara United also recorded a harvest of goals in Ilorin as it began its season in style, brushing aside Dakkada FC 3-0 at the Kwara State Sports Complex.
A brace in either half from Stephen Jude and a debut goal for Junior Lokosa ensured the Harmony Boys started the season with a win.
In Owerri, it was goals galore as Heartland and Nasarawa United played out an exciting 3-3 draw at the Dan Ayam Stadium.
Heartland’s goals were scored by Ikenna Stephen (41st), Nwaodu Chukwudi (48th), and new signing Chinedu Ohanachom (67th) while Nasarawa United’s goals were scored by Ajibola Otegbeye (15th and 42nd) and Abubakar Abdullahi (76th).
MATCH DAY 1
Gombe Utd 0-0 3SC
Akwa Utd 3-0 K’ Pillars
Lobi 1-1 Rivers Utd
Katsina Utd 1-2 Rangers
Enyimba 2-1 Abia Warriors
Kwara Utd 3-0 Dakkada
Heartland 3-3 Nasarawa
Tornadoes 1-0 Plateau Utd
MFM FC 0-2 Remo Stars
TODAY
Sunshine v Wikki Tourists
