Euromatch NPFL: Rivers United, Ikorodu City Shine as Matchday 1 Delivers Goals and Late Drama
The Euromatch Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season got off to an exciting start as Matchday 1 produced goals, comebacks, penalty conversions and dramatic late finishes across the country.
Rivers United, Ikorodu City, Barau FC, Doma United and Niger Tornadoes were among the teams to begin the campaign with victories, while Rangers International and Kwara United scored very late goals to rescue points.
Heavy rain also disrupted the meeting between Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat in Aba.
Shooting Stars edge Inter Lagos
Shooting Stars began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over newly promoted Inter Lagos in a South-West derby in Ibadan.
Lucky Emmanuel put the Oluyole Warriors ahead in the 15th minute, but Uchenna Njoku equalised for Inter Lagos seven minutes later.
Shooting Stars regained the lead just before half-time after they were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. Sodiq Ibrahim made no mistake from the spot in the 45+2nd minute.
The goal proved to be the winner as the hosts claimed all three points.
Ikorodu City complete comeback
Ikorodu City came from behind to beat Ranchers Bees 3-1.
Chiedozie Jude Okorie gave Ranchers Bees an early lead in the seventh minute, but Umar Dan’Azumi levelled the scores in the 30th minute.
Abayomi Ayodeji then completed the turnaround in first-half stoppage time.
Ikorodu City sealed the victory in the 87th minute when Farouk Salami converted a penalty.
Barau FC defeat Nasarawa United
Barau FC recorded an impressive 3-1 win over Nasarawa United.
Joseph Atule opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Abubakar Abdullahi equalised for Nasarawa United five minutes later.
Barau FC stepped up their performance late in the game, with Al’Amin Umar restoring their lead in the 78th minute.
Sugau Aliyu added a third four minutes later to complete the victory.
Bendel Insurance fight back against Warri Wolves
Bendel Insurance came from behind to beat Warri Wolves 2-1 at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
Eventus Itolowo gave Warri Wolves the lead in the fifth minute, but Kayode Oke equalised for Bendel Insurance from the penalty spot in the 20th minute.
Alex Oweilayefa completed the comeback just two minutes after the restart, scoring in the 47th minute to secure three points for the Benin Arsenal.
Rangers rescue point in stoppage time
Rangers International scored deep into stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw against Katsina United.
Luis Dadong put Katsina United ahead in the 38th minute and the visitors looked set to hold on for victory.
However, Rangers refused to give up and were rewarded in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Chibueze Oputa’s free-kick caused confusion in the Katsina United defence, with goalkeeper Koroma unable to keep the ball out.
The dramatic equaliser ensured both sides shared the points.
Rivers United make winning start
Rivers United enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Plateau United.
Abdulrasheed Dabai opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Wasiu Falolu doubled the advantage in the 38th minute.
Plateau United could not find a response after the break as Rivers United secured a clean sheet and maximum points.
Kwara United stage late comeback
Kwara United and Kano Pillars shared the points after a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Kano Pillars took a commanding first-half lead through Shola Abdulraheem in the 12th minute and Rabiu Ali in the 29th minute.
Kwara United responded immediately after the break, with Alex Jerry reducing the deficit in the 47th minute.
Jerry then became the hero in the seventh minute of stoppage time, scoring again to rescue a point for the hosts.
Niger Tornadoes stun Enyimba
Niger Tornadoes claimed a 2-1 victory over Enyimba.
Aliyu Goyi gave Niger Tornadoes the lead in the 40th minute before Wonah Williams equalised for Enyimba in the 71st minute.
The hosts regained the advantage in the 83rd minute through Michael Olalusi, who secured an important opening-day victory.
Doma United defeat Sporting Lagos
Doma United started the season with a 2-0 win over Sporting Lagos.
Sadiq Rilwan gave the home side an early lead after just eight minutes.
Doma United remained organised and doubled their advantage through Daniel Simon in the 75th minute to complete a convincing victory.
Rain stops Abia Warriors vs Kun Khalifat
The only Matchday 1 fixture that could not be completed was the meeting between Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat in Aba.
The game remained goalless until heavy rain forced proceedings to be stopped in the 73rd minute.
The remaining 17 minutes are scheduled to be played the following morning.
Euromatch NPFL Matchday 1 results
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Inter Lagos
- Ikorodu City 3-1 Ranchers Bees
- Barau FC 3-1 Nasarawa United
- Bendel Insurance 2-1 Warri Wolves
- Rangers International 1-1 Katsina United
- Rivers United 2-0 Plateau United
- Kwara United 2-2 Kano Pillars
- Niger Tornadoes 2-1 Enyimba
- Doma United 2-0 Sporting Lagos
- Abia Warriors 0-0 Kun Khalifat (abandoned in 73rd minute)
