NPFL: Matchday 1 roundup

This is what happened in the first match day of the 2017/ 2018 NPFL season.

The Nigerian professional football league (NPFL) is back, complete set of fixtures played this weekend, which involved five home wins, two away wins and three draws.

Nine of the ten matches played produced goals, in total 18 goals scored, four of which were scored in the opening fixture between Katsina United vs Kano Pillars match.

Here is what happened this weekend.

 

Katsina United 2-2 Kano Pillars

The opening fixture of the 2018 NPFL produced the most goals in matchday one, the north-west derby had everything, excitement, goals, and a red card.

The away side took the lead through Junior Lokosa in the 33rd minute, but the home side equalised through Chinedu Ajanah in the 45th minute,  Ibrahim Al-Hassan restored the away sides lead in the 61st minute, but Katsina were able to come back when Ashadi converted a penalty in the 90th minute.

Heartland 0-0 Sunshine

NPFL heavyweights Heartland are back in the top flight but were unable to make home advantage count as they were held at home by last seasons tenth placed team sunshine stars.

Nasarawa 0-1 Plateau

Defending NPFL champions recorded one of the two away wins this weekend, Raphael Ayagwa with the goal in the 87th minute as the champions held on for all three points away at Nasarawa.

Rivers 1-0 El-kanemi

2016/17 runners-up Rivers United started the season with a one-goal victory over last seasons sixth-place side Elkanemi warriors, Guy Kuemian goal in the 67th minute the difference.

Abia warriors 2-0 MFM

Last seasons runners-up MFM were well beaten by Abia warriors, Raphael Everton's boys took all three points through Ndifreke Effiong’s stroke in the 52nd and  66th minute.

Kwara United 0-2 Niger Tornadoes

Kwara United were welcomed to the NPFL by Tornadoes who inflicted a two-goal defeat on the newcomers, goals from Eric Frimpong in the 11th minute and Ibrahim Babawo in the 49th minute gave the away side all three points.

Fc Ifeanyi Ubah 2-1 Yobe Stars

Fc Ifeanyi Ubah defeated NPFL newcomers Yobe Desert Stars by just one goal. Godwin Obaje with the opener for the hosts in the 37th, Chinedu Ohanachom equalized for the away side in the 61st minute, but the hosts regained the lead through Gabriel Adeboye in the 73rd  minute as they held on for all three points.

Wikki Tourist1-0 Go Round

Wikki tourists defeated another NPFL newcomer Go Round. Nafiu Kabuga's goal in the 45th minute the difference, as Wikki held on for three points against the recent NNL super four winners.

Akwa United 2-0 Rangers Intl

Aiteo cup champions Akwa United defeated 2016 league champions Rangers international. Goals from Kelly Kester and in the 40th minute and Dennis Nya in the 67th minute gave the hosts the ideal start to the season.

Lobi Stars 1-1 Enyimba Intl

Lobi stars were held at home by  2015 champions Enyimba. Chinedu Udeagha gave the away side the lead in the 39th minute, but Ezekiel Mba equalized for the hosts via a penalty in the 65th minute. 

An interesting weekend as the league kicks off, defending champions Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes would be impressed starting off the campaign with away victories, while Enyimba, pillars, and Sunshine can be proud of away points, last season runners-up MFM would be hoping for a better outing in the next match day.

The league resumes for matchday two on Wednesday, January 17.