NPFL23 Matchday One: Remo Stars lay down marker as champions leave it late

Matchday One of the NPFL23 season was concluded across the country, with teams from both groups turning out for their games.

In Group A, Remo Stars showed their class under manager Daniel Ogunmodede with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to newly-promoted El-Kanemi Warriors. Samuel Anakwe opened the scoring for the Sky Blue Stars in the 29th minute after impressive footwork. The home side scored their second in the game through new signing Edidiong Ezekiel in the 87th minute after he was set up by teenage academy graduate Seun Odunsi.

Plateau United were held at home to a 3-3 draw by Shooting Stars in what was a battling encounter to open their NPFL23 campaign. The Oluyole Warriors opened the scoring through Akpan Joshua after six minutes before Ifeanyi Emmanuel equalised three minutes later. Anthony Okachi opened his Shooting Stars account in the 15th minute and Akintunde Azeez scored a third in the 65th minute. Izuchukwu Chimezie pulled one back for the Peace Boys after 72 minutes before Emmanuel headed home his second of the game in the 81st minute.

Kwara United were held to a goalless draw by visiting Gombe United at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan for the first goalless draw of NPFL23.

In Group B, Dakkada FC needed teenage Flying Eagles midfielder Daga Daniel to score a 97th-minute equaliser on his debut to hand them a 1-1 draw away to newly-promoted Bayelsa United in Yenagoa. Mizo Robert had opened the scoring for Bayelsa United in the 28th minute.

Rivers United needed a late penalty to claim a 2-1 win over 10-man Lobi Stars in Port Harcourt. The reigning champions went in front when Morice Chukwu scored in the first half before Abba Umar equalised for the visitors in the second half. Kenechukwu Agu scored the vital penalty in the eighth minute of added time.

Abia Warriors claimed the third away win of NPFL23 when they overcame Rangers 2-0. Bello Lukman opened the scoring before Monday Yakubu added a late second in the game.

Niger Tornadoes claimed an away win in Bauchi, defeating Wikki Tourist 2-0 in their NPFL23 opener. Idris Saidu opened the scoring with a 74th minute free-kick before David Okoromi scored a second two minutes later.

Newly-promoted Doma United picked up their first-ever NPFL point as they held Sunshine Stars to a 1-1 draw in Gombe. Charles Chibuike opened the scoring for the Savannah Scorpions before Ibrahim Yusuf scored a late equaliser for Sunshine Stars.