NPFL: Remo Stars, Rivers United win at home; Abia Warriors stun Rangers as Sunshine, Dakkada grab late equalisers

Three away wins, two home wins, four draws producing a combined 22 goals were recorded in various venues across the nation.

Victor Olorunfemi • January 15, 2023

Remo Stars and Rangers

Fixtures for the match day one of the 2022/2023 abridged season of the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) have been concluded across various cities in the country.

The NPFL new season began in Akwa Ibom state last week, with Bendel Insurance grabbing a stunning 2-0 away victory over Akwa United in the opening game that took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

In order to televise the opening match on terrestrial television, the body governing top flight football in Nigeria, Interim Management Committee(IMC) shifted the remaining nine matches of the match day to this weekend.

Three away wins, two home wins, four draws producing a combined 22 goals were recorded in various venues across the nation for the concluding fixtures for opening match day.

In the Group A, eight-time champions Enyimba grabbed an important 2-1 away win against Nasarawa United on Saturday evening, with Elijah Akanni and Imo Obot scoring the Peoples’ Elephant both goals in the game while Josiah Oche scored Nasarawa United’s consolation.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Remo Stars recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over newcomers El Kanemi Warriors at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. One goal in each half by Samuel Anakwe and Edidiong Ezekiel were enough to secure the victory.

At the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan, Kwara United were held to a goalless draw by Gombe United, while Shooting Stars played out six-goal thriller stalemate Plateau United.

Shooting Stars goals were scored by Akpan Joshua, Anthony Okachi and Akintunde Azeez while Emmanuel Ifeanyi(brace) and Uche Onwuansonaya were scorers for last season’s first runners up.

In the Group B, reigning champions Rivers United defeated 10-man Lobi Stars at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt to begin their title defense on a winning note.

Morice Chukwu opened the scoring for Rivers United inside the opening sixteen minutes of the encounter before Umar Abba equalised for Lobi Stars in the 56th minute.

Bolaji Simeon Sakin scored a last-gasp penalty in the ninth minute of the added time to secure a victory for the

‘The Pride of Rivers’.

In Bauchi, Niger Tornadoes secured an uncommon 2-0 away win over Wikki Tourists at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, with Saidu Idris and David Okoromi finding the back of the net.

It was also an away victory for Abia Warriors at the Awka Township Stadium in Awka, Anambra, where they defeated seven-time winners Enugu Rangers two-nil. Bello Lukman and Yakub Hammed both got their names on the scoresheet.

Newcomers Doma United were close to an historic victory at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe state, against Sunshine Stars but Yusuf Ibrahim late goal canceled out Charles Chibuike first half strike to rescue a point for the Owena Whales.

Finally in Yenagoa, newcomers Bayelsa United were forced to a one-all draw by Dakkada F.C at the Samson Siasia Stadium. Robert Mizo put Bayelsa United ahead in the 22nd minute but Daniel Daga scored a leveler in the the last minutes of the match. —

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