THE 2023/2024 season of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) finally kicked off today with plenty of goals across the match venues.
In one of the most productive opening days in the history of the Nigerian top flight, 21 goals were scored in seven matches, with no game ending goalless.
There were also six home wins and one draw as the clubs returned to action after several delays to the commencement of the championship.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) edged past visiting Plateau United 2-1.
Ayobami Adekunle and Anayo Ogbonna gave the Oluyole Warriors a 2-0 lead before Uche Onwuasoanya pulled one back for the Jos side with 13 minutes left on the clock.
Rangers won by the same margin in their temporary Awka home, with Kalu Nweke and Austin Onyemaechi netting for the hosts in the first half and Bidemi Owoku reducing the deficit after the break.
Sunshine Stars of Akure pipped visiting Kano Pillars 1-0 as Abia Warriors defeated Niger Tornadoes by the same score through John Peter’s 79th minute strike.
The star of the day is Bayelsa United’s Robert Mizo, who scored a hat-trick in their thrilling 5-3 home victory over Akwa United.
The only draw of the day was the 2-2 result between hosts Heartland and Lobi Stars, the Naze Millionaires needing two late goals through Patrick Nwogbaga and Ezekiel Bassey to rescue a point after the visitors had taken a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Adebayo Waheed and Francis Odinaka.
NPFL RESULTS
3SC 2-1 Plateau United
Heartland 2-2 Lobi Stars
Rangers 2-1 Doma United
Bayelsa United 5-3 Akwa United
Katsina United 1-0 Kwara United
Sunshine Stars 1-0 Kano Pillars
Abia Warriors 1-0 Tornadoes
