NPFL Matchday 1 recap: Big wins for Akwa, Kwara as Remo, Rangers get away wins
A total of 23 goals were scored on matchday one
There were big wins for Akwa United, Kwara United as the long awaited Nigeria Professional Football League which started on Friday continued with Sunday fixtures.
On Friday, Remo United shocked their hosts MFM FC at the Teslim Balogun Stadium two second half goals from Qudus Akanni and Andy Okpe in the 55th and 94th minutes settled the tie.
Lobi Stars and Rivers United played a 1-1 draw at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa on Sunday.
Ishaq Kayode 27th minutes strike put Rivers United up but the home team drew level through Nanen Barnabas Imenger in the 47th minutes of the game.
Stephen Jude scored the first brace of the 2021-22 NPFL season and Junior Lokosa added one to hand Kwara United a 3-0 win against Dakkada at Kwara State Stadium on Sunday.
Stephen Jude opened the scoring in the 3rd minutes of the game Junior Lokosa made it two for the home team in the 33rd minutes.
Stephen Jude completed his brace in the 58th minutes of the game.
The fixture at the Dan Anyiam Stadium involving Heartland and Nasarawa United witnessed the highest number of goals on matchday 1 as both teams settled for a 3-3 draw.
Ajibola Otegbeye converted from the spot kick in the 15th minutes of the game to hand the away team the lead but the home team pulled back from the spot in the 41st minutes through Ikenna Stephen.
Ajibola scored his brace in the 42th minutes to restore Nasarawa United lead – becoming the second person to score a brace in this season campaign.
Chukwudi Nwaodu equalized for Heartland in the 48th minutes and, NPFL veteran Chinedu Ohanachom gave the home team the lead in the 67th minutes.
But Abubakar Abdullahi drew Nasarawa level in the 76th minutes of the game for the highest scoring game of the matchday 1.
Gone are the days when winning from home is a myth in the Nigerian football – Rangers United secured a 2-1 win against Katsina United for the second away win on matchday 1.
Ossy Martins opened the scoring for Rangers in the 13th minutes of the game but Mustapha Salisu pulled back in the 35th minute.
Martins then completed his brace in the 54th minutes of the game to hand Rangers a 2-1 win at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.
Rangers United finished the game with 10-man after goalie Mutawakilu was sent off for a second booking due to time wasting on 86 minutes.
Coach Finidi George guided Enyimba to a 2-1 win against Abia Warriors at Enyimba International Stadium.
Ekene Awazie opened the scoring in the 34th minute for the home team as Paul Samson’s 50th minute strike drew Abia Warriors level.
Enyimba went back in front courtesy of Chigozie Obasi’s ferocious free kick which squirmed under the body of Okiemute Odah and into the net.
Gombe United failed to beat 10-man Shooting Stars of Ibadan at Pantami Stadium. Henry Ndidi was sent off for a second booking but the Oluyole Warriors hung on to the valuable point.
This clash was the only game that failed to produce any goal on matchday one.
Kabir Adeniji scored the only goal at the Minna Township Stadium as Niger Tornadoes pipped Plateau United 1-0.
Akwa United trashed Kano Pillars 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Sunday. Ezekiel Bassey, Stephen Chukwude and Friday Ubong scored the goals for the Promise Keepers.
MFM FC 0-2 Remo Stars
Lobi Stars 1-1 Rivers United
Kwara United 3-0 Dakkada
Heartland 3-3 Nasarawa United
Katsina United 1-2 Rangers
Enyimba 2-1 Abia Warriors
Gombe United 0-0 Shooting Stars
Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Plateau United
Akwa United 3-0 Kano Pillars
Sunshine Stars v Wikki Tourist PTP
A total of 23 goals were scored on matchday one (without the clash between Sunshine Stars v Wikki Tourists) three players scored a brace (Stephen Jude, Ajibola Otegbeye, and Ossy Martins).
Two players were sent off (Mutawakilu, Henry Ndidi). Two away wins (MFM FC 0-2 Remo Stars, Katsina United 1-2 Rangers).
