Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL effectively set sail on Sunday 8 September 2024 as 8 matches were played to complement the first match played on the last day of August between Champions Enugu Rangers and newcomer Elkanemi.
Here are highlights of five things which define the Matchday one round of the 2024/2025 season.
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Two Players Scored First Goal Of Season After Over 100 Minutes
Goals define the game as it separates the two sides and it is the ultimate thing the fans wait to see In any football contest.
It was an exception in the NPFL as the fans had to wait for over 90 minutes of action which span over 7 days before they could witness the first goal of the season as the first match of the season, (Enugu Rangers Vs Elkanemi )witnessed a barren draw.
The first goal did come, but it was a double honor as Olawole Doyeni of Plateau United and Mustapha Umar of Kano Pillars shared the honours of the first goal of the Season.
Both goals were scored in the 23rd minute in their respective encounters, as Plateau United defeated Katsina United 1-0 and Kano Pillars defeated newcomers Ikorodu City FC by 3-0.
However, the make up of the goals was different as Mustapha Umar was the first player to score from open play, while Olawole Doyeni is the player to score from the penalty spot as Anans Yusuf of Nasarawa FC scored the second penalty goal of the season.
18 Goals In 9 Goals, averaging 2 Per Match
A total of 18 goals were scored in the nine matches played so far while we await the result of Lobi Stars Vs Akwa United scheduled for Monday.
A decent show, as seven of the matches witnessed at least a goal scored while two matches ended in barren draws.
The match between Heartland and Enyimba witnessed the most goals as Enyimba FC defeated Heartland 3-1 away from home.
Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars playing in front of their fans also scored three goals each against Bayelsa United and Ikorodu City respectively as the away teams failed to spark.
Bang, Bang, Rabiu Ali in Early Lead In The Hotshot Race
The old war horse, Rabiu Ali scored twice on the opening day to shoot ahead in the NPFL highest goal scorer race as no other on the Matchday scored a brace. He scored in the 69th and 79th to give Kano Pillars a good cushion against Ikorodu City.
Three Compressive Away Wins
The opening also witnessed three compressive victories. This is a big deal as the NPFL is a league where away wins are a rarity.
So scoring three maximum points on the road and winning with a comprehensive margin always hug the headlines as Remo Stars began by defeating Abia Warriors 2-0 on the road, Niger Tornadoes smashed two goals past Kwara United only for the Afonja Warriors to score a consolatory goal at the death.
Enyimba also gave Emmanuel Amuneke a rough start with Heartland FC in the league as Heartland lost at home by 3-1.
First Red Card On The First Day
The opening day also witnessed a red card flashed at a player. The first bad boy of the season is Bamidele Adeniyi of Rivers United against Bendel Insurance even though Rivers United survived and snatched a valuable 1 point away from Benin.
A glance at the results and goal scorers on the opening day
Rangers Int’l 0 – 0 Elkanemi Warriors
Heartland FC 1 – 3 Enyimba FC
Lawal Suraju 53′ – Ifeanyi Ihemekwele 67′, Clinton Jephta 70′,73′
Sunshine Stars 3 – 0 Bayelsa Utd
Seidu Salisu 42′, Promise Awosanmi 54′, 74
Kwara Utd 1 – 2 Niger Tornadoes
Sadeeq Yusuf 90+1′ – Joseph Godstime 32′, Sabiu Ibrahim 62′
Bendel Insurance 0 – 0 Rivers United
Abia Warriors 0 – 2 Remo Stars
Sodiq Ismail 49′, Jide Fatokun 61′
Plateau Utd 1 – 0 Katsina Utd
Olawale Doyeni 23′ (PEN)
Nasarawa Utd 1 – 1 Shooting Stars
Anas Yusuf 56′ (PEN) – Samuel Ayanrinde 90+4′
Kano Pillars 3 – 0 Ikorodu City
Mustapha Umar 23′ , Rabiu Ali 69′ 79′
Monday September 9
Lobi Stars – Akwa Utd
