NPFL: Four away wins and four away draws headline match-day one
Starting from the 2023 NPFL opening weekend where the newly promoted Bendel Insurance stunned the former Champion, Akwa United in Uyo, the concluding weekend produced more away wins as the match-day one continued Saturday and Sunday.
Two first-half goals from Akanni Elijah and Obot were what Enyimba needed in Jos Plateau State, to inflict defeat on Nasarawa United who could manage to score a consolation goal through Oche in the 87th minute of play.
The thriller of the match-day one was between Plateau United and 3SC in Jos where six goals were scored as the game ended 3-3 after the visitors had gone up twice and with a two-goal lead.
Thanks to a brace from Emmanuel Ifeanyi and another goal from Izuchukwu Chimezie, Plateau United came back three times to level up.
Meanwhile, in Ibadan, Kwara United, who adopted the Lekan Salami Stadium as their home ground could not find a way past the newly promoted side, Gombe United, who held them to a goalless draw.
Elsewhere in Ikenne, Samuel Anakwe and Edidiong Ezekiel scored a goal in each half of the game to send Elkanemi Warriors back to Maiduguri empty-handed.
The oriental derby between Enugu Rangers and Abia Warriors produced a victory for the away team as Coach Erasmus Onuh indeed proved to be a mastermind again, as he led his team to a 2-0 victory as goals from Bello Lukman and Monday Yakubu in each half gave the whole three points to the Warriors from Aba. B
In Bauchi, Niger Tornadoes secured a 2-0 win over Wikki Tourists in front of their fans. After a goalless first half, the visitors broke the deadlock through Idris Saidu’s free kick in the 74th minute, before David Okoromi added the second with a tap home two minutes later.
At the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure scored a late goal to secure a 1-1 draw against newcomers, Doma United. The home side was almost running out with a slim win until striker Ibrahim Yusuf guided home Lawal Murtala’s free-kick for a late equalizer.
In Port Harcourt, the defending champion, Rivers United was almost dropping two points before a late infringement inside the penalty area earned them a penalty to secure a 2-1 win over hard fighting Lobi Stars.
Morice Chukwu opened the scoring for Rivers as early as the 16th minute, but the visitors restored parity in the second half through Abba Umar.
In the closing stages of the game, the hosts won a penalty and were slotted home by Kenechukwu Agu, who sent goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel the wrong way.
The last game in Group B ended 1-1 between Bayelsa United and Dakkada at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.
A total number of 24 goals were scored in the fist match-day of NPFL where the only game without a goal was played in Ibadan where Gombe held Kwara United to a goalless draw.
Full results of the table after match-day one:
