Rivers United, current champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), began their title defense with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Lobi Stars in Port-Harcourt on Sunday.
The 2022/23 season got underway last week with just a game, but the remaining nine games took centre stage this weekend.
The Pride of Rivers welcomed Lobi Stars to the Adokiyie Amiesimaka Stadium on Sunday to begin their title defense on a winning note. Former Akwa United man Morice Chukwu handed the champions the lead in the first half before the visitors levelled after the break through Abba Umar in the 55th minute only for Kenechukwu Agu to strike home a stoppage-time spot-kick to deny Mohammed Baba Ganaru’s men a point.
Earlier on Saturday, Enyimba edged Nasarawa United 2-1 to begin the new campaign in style. Former MFM star Elijah Akanni opened the scoring for the visitors before Imo Obot powered home a ferocious freekick to double Enyimba’s lead at the New Jos Stadium. The Solid Miners found a goal back in the dying moments of the game after Ikenna Offor’s spot-kick was saved, and Oche Josiah was on hand to head it home from close range.
Doma United kicked off their maiden campaign in the top flight with a 1-1 draw against Sunshine Stars at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe. Charles Chibuike’s first-half goal, the hosts’ first NPFL goal, was cancelled out by Ibrahim Yusuf at the death.
Meanwhile, Plateau United rallied back from 3-1 down to force a draw against Shooting Stars in Jos. The Oluyole Warriors went into the lead through Akpan Joshua in the 6th minute, but that lead only lasted two minutes as the home side equalized via Emmanuel Ifeanyi’s goal. The visitors went back in front through Anthony Okachi in the 15th minute. After the break, 3SC first increased their lead through Azeez Akintunde shortly after the hour mark before Fidelis Ilechukwu’s men staged a comeback to force a draw through goals from Uche Onwuansonaya and Ifeanyi.
In Sunday’s early kick-off, Abia Warriors stunned Enugu Rangers 2-0 in Awka to claim the bragging rights in this season’s first Oriental derby. Goals in either half through Bello Lukman and Monday Yakubu handed coach Erasmus Onus’ side a winning start.
Elsewhere, a toothless Kwara United could not find a way past an impressive Gombe United side in Ibadan. In Bauchi, Tornadoes claimed a rare away win by beating Wikki Tourists 2-0. Idris Saidu and Musa Abdullahi Wakili were the goal scorers in the game.
Also, matchday two games will take place this midweek across different centres.
RESULTS
Group A
Kwara United 0-0 Gombe United
Plateau United 3-3 Shooting Stars
Remo Stars 2-0 Elkanemi Warriors
Nasarawa United 1-2 Enyimba
Akwa United 0-2 Bendel Insurance
Group B
Rangers 0-2 Abia Warriors
Bayelsa United 1-1 Dakkada
Doma United 1-1 Sunshine Stars
Rivers United 2-1 Lobi Stars
Wikki Tourists 0-2 Niger Tornadoes
