NPFL20: All Matchday Day One Review
Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries, MFM FC produced the opening shock of the 2019/20 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season when they claimed a 0-1 away win at Heartland FC in Okigwe.
Clement Ogwu, headed home the game’s only goal on the 39th minute from a corner kick by right back Adeyinka Najeem.
Samuel Amadi scored the first goal of the new season as his 2nd minute strike gave Warri Wolves the lead against Akwa United but last season’s joint topscorer Mfon Udoh continued from where he left off on the 28th minute to restore parity for John Obuh’s Akwa United. Neither side could find a winner in the second half as Warri Wolves and Akwa United also finished stalemate.
Plateau United took care of Lobi Stars 3-1 in Jos when Abdu Maikaba’s United raced to a two-goal lead courtesy of Nerot Silas’ 17th minute strike and a Solomon Kwambe own-goal but Lobi halfed the deficit on the 32nd minute through a Sikiru Alimi penalty.
Amos Gyang Danladi however scored his side’s third on the 67th minute to send the 2017 league winners to the summit of the league table after Match Day One.
At the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta Force and Akwa Starlets played out a 1-1 draw, as the debutants stunned their hosts on the 50th minute when Isaac George gave them the lead but experienced substitute Bala Yahuza rescued a point for Mangut Mbwas’ side twenty minutes from time.
Abia Warriors also started the season on a bright note when a brace by former Heartland star Jimoh Oni earned them a routine 2-0 win over Katsina United at the Umuahia Township stadium.
In Nnewi, FC Ifeanyiubah edged newly promoted Adamawa United 1-0 courtesy of a spectacular strike by Samuel Kalu. Striker Chibuike Ezeh also missed a second half penalty which could have widened the scoreline for the Anambra Warriors.
Wikki Tourists of Bauchi were the only team that came from a goal down to win on Sunday, a feat they achieved in their 2-1 success over newly promoted Jigawa Golden Stars at their adopted home ground in Gombe.
In Kano, former champions Kano Pillars were held to a 0-0 draw by Rivers United at the Sani Abacha Stadium. The game which was played behind closed doors as Pillars continue to serve punishment from their fans’ behaviour in Lagos at the end of last season saw the Sai Masu Gida side miss a number of scoring chances.
Enyimba and Rangers Intl were however not on duty domestically as they booked their places in the group stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.
