The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League season kicked off on Saturday in grand style with several goals scored and no away win recorded in seven match venues across the country.
In the South-South derby, Bayelsa United came back twice to defeat Akwa United 5-3 in an eight goal thriller.
Hadi Mohammed scored the opening goal for the Promise Keepers in the 20th minute before Jerry Alex equalized for the hosts.
Akwa United was back in front in the 38th minute through Oguntayo Seyi but Bayelsa United‘s Robert Mirzo made it 2-2 at the stroke of halftime.
The away side restored their lead once again in the 75th minute but Mirzo again equalised in the 81st minute.
Mirzo completed his hat trick in the 87th minute before the host scored the 5th goal in the 95th minute to finish the game 5-3.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars began their campaign by defeating Plateau United 2-1 at the Lekan Salami Stadiuml. Ayobami Adekunle scored the opener for Shooting Stars midway into the first half before Anayo Ogbonna doubled the lead for the home team. Plateau United reduced the deficit in the 77th minute to end the match 2-1.
Katsina United made their return to the NPFL from the lower league by defeating Kwara United 1-0 at the Young Katsina Stars Stadium with Lukman Bello scoring the solitary goal in the 72nd minute.
At the Umuahia Township stadium in Abia state, Erasmus Onuh tutored Abia Warriors side put in an impressive performance in their 1-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes with John Peter scoring the only goal of the game.
Newly promoted Heartland FC drew level with visiting Lobi Stars 2-2 in Owerri. The Naze Millionaires rallied back from two goals down to end the game in a stalemate.
Waheed Adebayo scored the opening goal for Lobi Stars in the 15th minute before Odinaka Francis doubled the lead of the visitors 2-0 in the 38th minute.
Patrick Nwogbaga made it 2-1 for the home side in the 73rd minute before Ezekiel Bassey completed the comeback in the 87th minute to end the tie 2-2.
Kano Pillars suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sunshine Stars in their return to the NPFL after Emmanuel Oge scored the only goal for the home team.
Fidelis Ilechukwu’s Enugu Rangers defeated Doma United 2-1 after Kalu Nweke and Onyeamachi raced to a two-goal lead for the Flying Antelopes just before halftime before Doma United got their only goal in the 75th minute.
Sporting Lagos will welcome Gombe United at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan on Monday evening, October 2nd.
The fixtures between Rivers United vs Remo Stars and Enyimba vs Bendel Insurance were postponed due to the club’s continental assignments.
Match Day 1 Results
SOURCE: ZIGASPORTS