Full-time whistles echoed across all NPFL matchday venues, bringing an exciting start to the 2023/24 Nigerian Premier Football League season.
Here are the key takeaways from Week 1:
- 21 goals found the back of the net.
- 7 Home teams celebrated victories.
NPFL MATCHDAY ONE RESULTS:
- Heartland FC 2-2 Lobi Stars
- Bayelsa United 5-3 Akwa Utd
- Shooting Stars 2-1 Plateau Utd
- Abia Warriors 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
- Sunshine Stars 1-0 Kano Pillars
- Rangers 2-1 Doma Utd
- Katsina Utd 1-0 Kwara Utd
Monday (01/10/2023) NPFL Matchday One Fixture:
- Sporting Lagos FC Vs Gombe Utd.
READ ALSO: NPFL Takes a Stand: Kano Pillars Barred from Signing New Players
Highlight Moments:
- Bayelsa United showcased their firepower with a stunning 5-3 victory against Akwa United FC in Yenegoa, equaling their highest goal tally in an NPFL match.
- Robert Mizo of Bayelsa United Football Club etched his name in history by scoring the first hattrick of the 2023/24 NPFL season. He received the match ball from the match commissioner after the game, becoming the first player to score 3+ goals on the opening day of an NPFL season since 2012.
- In the Heartland FC vs. Lobi Stars clash, goalkeeper Chisom Chiaga had a moment to forget, but late goals from second-half substitutes Patrick Nwogbaga and Ezekiel Bassey rescued a point for Heartland FC.
- Kwara United suffered a lone-goal defeat away to Katsina United FC. Despite showing early promise and creating chances, they couldn’t find the back of the net. Their next match will be at home against Abia Warriors FC in Ilorin.
- In Ibadan, 3SC secured a 2-1 victory over Plateau United with two quickfire goals. Anayo Ogbonna, coming off the bench, gave 3SC a two-goal lead, and Uche Onwuasoanya pulled one back for Plateau United two minutes later.
- Enugu Rangers managed a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Doma United in a spirited performance by the away team.
- Abia Warriors kicked off their NPFL campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes, courtesy of John Peter’s 79th-minute goal, assisted by Obi Samson.
- Sunshine Stars clinched a 1-0 win over Kano Pillars at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure. Emmanuel Oge’s 8th-minute strike secured maximum points for Sunshine Stars, and their strong defensive line thwarted Kano Pillars’ efforts to equalize.
The 2023/24 NPFL season has kicked off with a bang, promising fans more thrilling moments to come. Stay tuned for more football excitement! #NPFL #FootballSeason #NigerianFootball
