NPFL Matchday One Wrap: Derby delights for Enyimba, Tornadoes as Remo stun Abia

By Wale Mustapha

The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League, (NPFL) season continued to live up to our dream start with exciting results recorded on Sunday across seven centers this weekend.

After the opening day goaless draw recorded between champions Enugu Rangers and Elkanemi Warriors, other games were shifted a week later and that didn’t alter the excitement.

Here are the outcome of seven matches decided on Sunday.

• Kwara United 1-2 Niger Tornadoes
• It was not how Kwara United envisaged their season will commence as they lost 1-2 at home to their neighbors from Minna.

With last minute’s change in the technical department which did not go down with many, the Harmony Boys were expected to prove bookmakers wrong but did live up expectations.

It was Tornadoes that took the lead midway through the game as Ilechukwu Godstime took his time well before taking a pop at goal which beat Suraj Ayeleso.
Saliu Ibrahim doubled the lead for the Ikon Allah Boys with a long range effort in the 56th minutes. The hosts were expected to stage a late comeback which they tried to but could only get. a goal through Isiaq Yusuf in the stoppage time.

• Heartland 1-3 Enyimba

Heartland got their return to the apex league to a horrible start as they lost 1-3 scandalously to Enyimba in Owerri.
The Naze Millionaires who acquire Beyond Limits’ slot to maintain life in the NPFL took an early lead in the second half through Ahmed Suraju.
Enyimba even the score line in the 63rd minutes thanks to a perfect finish by Ifeanyi Ihemekwele.
New signing, Clinton Jephta scored twice in the spate of three minutes to hand the People’s Elephants the derby bragging rights in Owerri.

• Abia Warriors 0-2 Remo Stars
  Also in Umuahia, Abia Warriors under their new coach, Imama Amakapabo could not muster the needed result as they fell to 2-0 defeat to last season’s runners up, Remo Stars.
• The first 45 minutes was more of a drab game but both teams upped the ante on resumption.
  However, it was Remo Stars that had the upper hand with two unreplyable goals through Super Eagles’ right back, Sadiq Ismail and Jide Fatokun.
• Plateau United 1-0 Katsina United
  The encounter in Jos recorded the first goal of the season with Olawale Doyeni’s finish from the spot was all the Peace Boys needed to beat Katsina United.

The solitary goal came in the 23rd minutes and it’s all the hosts needed to start their season with a victory.

• Sunshine Stars 3 – 0 Bayelsa United
  Despite playing away from home, Sunshine Stars were still able to prove their mettle with a 3-0 commanding win over Bayelsa United.
• Seidu Salisu handed the Owena Whales the lead with a minute to end the first half. Bayelsa had their moments in the second half but failed to utilize it.
• They had to pay for it with two goals from Promise Awosanmi and Stephen Chukwude to hand Sunshine a good start to the new season.
• Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City
  The newcomers to the NPFL, Ikorodu City were taught a good lesson in Katsina as they lost 3-0 to league veteran, Kano Pillars.

NPFL Legend Rabiu Ali led the lesson spree for the Oga Boys with two goals, one of them from his trademark free kick.

Yusuf Mubarak had earlier scored for Pillars before the two other goals from Rabiu Ali.

• Nasarawa United 1-1 Shooting Stars

Another league veterans, Shooting Stars fought hard to record a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Nasarawa United in Lafia.

It was Coach Kabir Dogo’s first game in charge of the Solid Miners haven joined the team few days to the match.

Nevertheless, it was Dogo boys that went ahead the first few minutes into restart as penalty was awarded for the hosts after a horrible challenge from a Shooting Stars’ defender.

Anas Yusuf stepped forward and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The Oluyole Warriors were not deterred but stayed focused and pressed on for the equalizer.
Samuel Ayanride’s last minute finish justified the push for the Coach Gbenga Ogunbote side as they left Lafia with a point.

• Bendel Insurance FC 0-0 Rivers United

The last match of the day was in Benin where Insurance failed to get a win against 10 men Rivers United.
Rivers United had their goalkeeper, Bamidele Adeniyi sent off for a double leg challenge outside the box.
Insurance couldn’t take advantage of the numerical strength as both teams shared the spoils.

The final game for the Matchday One will be decided on Monday with Lobi Stars taking on Akwa United in Lafia.