Sunshine Stars of Akure started the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season with a 3-0 win over Bayelsa United at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode on Sunday.
Sunshine Stars’ forward, Seidu Salisu opened the scoring with an assist from Promise Awosanmi in the 44th minute, and Awosanmi doubled the lead with a free kick in the 54th minute. Stephen Chuckwudi, who came from the bench, made it 3-0 in the 90th minute with a clinical finish that put the icing on the cake.
Enyimba defeated Heartland 3-1 away from home in a thrilling oriental derby at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri on Sunday. Heartland took the lead through Suraj Lawal in the 53rd minute, but the People’s Elephant rallied to win the game through goals from Ifeanyi Ihemekwele and Clinton Jephthah’s brace.
Remo Stars recorded a 2-0 away victory over Abia Warriors in Umuahia on Sunday. Sodiq Ismail and Jide Fatokun scored the two goals for Remo Stars in the 61st and 75th minute respectively.
At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance played out a goalless draw by Rivers United.
Niger Tornadoes also won on the road, edging out Kwara United 2-1 in Ilorin. Godstime Joseph put the visitors in front two minutes after the half hour mark, while Sabiu Ibrahim doubled the advantage in the 69th minute, before Sadiq Yusuf reduced the deficit for Kwara United in stoppage time of the game.
New comers Ikorodu City were thrashed 3-0 away at Kano Pillars in their first NPFL game. Legendary Rabiu Ali bagged a brace for Pillars with Mustapha Umar scoring the other goal.
In Lafia, Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Nasarawa United battled to a 1-1 draw. Anas Yusuf put the home team in front from the penalty spot in the 59th minute, but Samuel Ayanrinde equalised in added minutes of the game to earn 3SC a share of spoils.
Champions, Enugu Rangers played out a goalless draw with El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.
Match-day One Results
Heartland 1-3 Enyimba
Kwara Utd 1-2 Tornadoes
Bendel Insurance 0-0 Rivers Utd
Kano Pillars 3-0 Ikorodu City
Plateau Utd 1-0 Katsina Utd
Nasarawa Utd 1-1 3SC
Sunshine Stars 3-0 Bayelsa Utd
Abia Warriors 0-2 Remo Stars
Rangers 0-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
