By George Akpayen
The first matchweek of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has been concluded and it produced eye-catching performances and results most pundits never saw coming.
RABIU ALI AT 43 STILL GOING STRONG
NPFL’s player, Rabiu Ali, continues to defy the odds to put up impressive displays. The Kano Pillars captain and midfielder smashes home a direct free kick for his first goal and then fires home his second from outside the box to help his club to a 3-0 win over Ikorodu City.
NEW BOYS IKORODU CITY BLOWN APART
It looked like Ikorodu City has started their first season in the top division well when they held off Kano Pillars to a scoreless first half. However things unfolded within a 21-minute spell in the second half. They conceded from attempts from Mustapha Umar and Rabiu Ali to suffer a three-nil defeat. Ikorodu City head coach, Bright Ozebagbe, simply acknowledged that his team “switched off” when it mattered most.
FIRST GOAL OF THE SEASON
After the opening game of the season ended goalless between champions Rangers and El-Kanemi Warriors, everyone was on the lookout for who would score the first goal of the campaign. It was not a striker who opened the scoring for the season but a defender. Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni now holds the honour of scoring this season’s first goal which turned out to be his side’s winner against Katsina United.
AMUNEKE BEGINS WITH A DEFEAT
It was not the start former Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amuneke would have wanted as Heartland head coach. After watching his men play out a 0-0 draw at halftime with Enyimba, his team got off to a flyer in the second half. Suraj Lawal netted for Heartland eight minutes into the second half but the lead lasted just 13 minutes. Ifeanyi Ihemekwele equalized before Clinton Jephtha’s double ended any hope of a fight back for Amuneke’s team.
ENYIMBA, REMO STARS, TORNADOES WIN ON THE ROAD
Nine-time champions Enyimba, Remo Stars and Niger Tornadoes claimed wins at Heartland, Abia Warriors and Kwara United respectively to emerge as the only side that claimed maximum points on the road on the opening day.
Remo Stars won 2-0 through Sodiq Ismail and Jide Fatokun’s goals while Tornadoes win 2-1 at Kwara United with Godstime Joseph and Sabiu Ibrahim getting the goals before Sadeeq Yusuf managed a late goal for the opponents. Enyimba, on the other hand, came from behind to beat Heartland 3-1 in the Oriental Derby.
CRAZY 7 MINUTES IN OWERRI
They say a team are vulnerable when they just scored and that was what happened to Heartland after taking the lead in the 53rd minute through Suraj Lawal. This was followed by seven crazy odd minutes that saw Enyimba turned things around to win 3-1. Ihemekwele scored on 66 minutes after which Clinton scored twice on 71 and 73 minutes to put the game out of Heartland’s reach.
LAFIA CITY STADIUM OF DRAWS
The occupiers of the Lafia City Stadium, Nasarawa United and Lobi Stars, played out draws against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and Akwa United respectively. Nasarawa United thought they were closing in on the full points after Anas Yusuf converted from the spot on 59 minutes but 3SC found their way back late. Substitute Samuel Ayanrinde netted inside added time to help 3SC earn a point on the road. Akwa United and Lobi Stars played out a goalless draw on Monday to round off the matchweek.
AMAPAKABO, BOSSO’S RETURNS RUINED
Two coaches, Imama Amapakabo and Ladan Bosso, who made their returns to the NPFL suffered defeats with their teams. Bosso, making a return after five years, led Bayelsa United to a 3-0 loss at Sunshine Stars with Seidu Salisu, Promise Awosanmi and Stephen Chukwude scoring the goals.
On the other hand, Amapakabo watched as Abia Warriors lost 2-0 at home to Remo Stars. It was Amapakabo’s first game since returning to the top division in two years.