The first games of the 2021-2022 Nigeria Professional Football League NPFL was rounded up on Sunday with lots of intriguing games.
The NPFL season kicked off on Friday with newly promoted Remo Stars stunning MFM FC at the Mobolaji Arena 2-0.
There was even more mouthwatering games played on Sunday with champions Akwa United made a statement of intent of retaining the title this season.
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The Promise Keepers thrashed visiting Kano Pillars 3-0 at the Nest of Champions recording the highest margin of matchday 1alongside Kwara United.
A total of 24 goals was scored in total with three draws with only Enugu Rangers winning away from home.
AKWA UNITED VS KANO PILLARS
The Promise Keepers was dominant against their visitors and Ezekiel Bassey gave the champions the curtain raiser in the 5th minute.
Ubong Friday set up Chukwude for the second goal in the 52nd minute.
Friday scored his brace of the game deep into stoppage time following an assist from John Lazarus to make it 3-0.
KATSINA UNITED VS ENUGU RANGERS
The only away victory recorded was Rangers who travelled to the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium and snatched a 2-1 win against Katsina United.
Ossy Martins gave Rangers the lead in the 13th minute before Mustapha Salisu leveled for the Chanji Boys in the 35th minute.
Martins restored Rangers lead nine minutes after the break.
The Flying Antelopes were later reduced to 10-men after Seidu Mutawakilu was sent off for time wasting four minutes from time.
ENYIMBA VS ABIA WARRIORS
The first Oriental derby of the season lived up to expectations and city neighbours, Enyimba and Abia Warriors clashed.
It was Finidi George’s first game in the NPFL and he was able to snatch a 2-1 win against Warriors.
Ekene Awazie gave Enyimba the lead in the 34th minute but the goal was leveled by Paul Samson in the 50th minute .
A ferocious free kick from Chidozie Obasi finally handed the People’s Elephant the maximum points.
LOBI STARS VS RIVERS UNITED
Rivers United shared the spoils against Lobi Stars at the Aper Aku Stadium as the hosts had to rally back .
Ishaq Kayode fired Rivers United I front three minutes before the hour mark.
Nanen Barnabas Imenger equalised for Lobi Stars two minutes after the break.
KWARA UNITED VS DAKKADA
Junior Lokosa marked his return to the NPFL with a goal for Kwara United who defeated Dakkada FC 3-0
A brace from Jude Stephen with Junior Lokosa scoring on his debut return.
PLATEAU UNITED VS NIGER TORNADOES
Plateau United narrowly escaped sharing points with Niger Tornadoes.
A decisive fia deo. Kabiru Adeniji was all Plateau needed to get the season off on a winning.
GOMBE UNITED VS 3SC
The first clash of the newbies was the game between Gombe United and 3SC which ended 0-0 at the Gombe Township Stadium.
HEARTLAND VS NASARAWA UNITED
It was a thrilling encounter at the Okigwe Stadium.
NPFL MATCHDAY 1 FULL RESULTS
Akwa United 3- 0 Kano Pillars
Enyimba 2-1 Abia Warriors
Katsina Utd 1-2 Rangers
Gombe Utd 0-0 3SC
Heartland 3-3 Nasarawa United
Tornadoes 1-0 Plateau United
Lobi Stars 1-1 Rivers United
Kwara Utd 3-1 Dakkada
MFM FC 0-2 Remo Stars