Five things you need to know about the opening round of the 2024/2025 NPFL

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL effectively set sail on Sunday, September 8, 2024 when 8 matches were played to complement the first match played on the last day of August between champions Enugu Rangers and newcomers Elkanemi.

Below are the highlights of five things that will define the opening matchday of the 2024/2025 season.

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Two players scored the first goal of the season after more than 100 minutes
Goals define the game as they separate the two teams and are the last thing fans expect to see in any football competition.

It was an exception in the NPFL as fans had to wait for over 90 minutes of action spanning 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 came, but it was a double honour 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 3-0.

However, the composition of the goals was different as Mustapha Umar was the first player to score from open play while Olawole Doyeni was the player to score from the penalty spot as Nasarawa FC’s Anans Yusuf scored the second penalty goal of the season.

18 goals in 9 goals, with an average of 2 per game
A total of 18 goals were scored in the nine matches played so far as we await the result of Lobi Stars Vs Akwa United scheduled for Monday.

A decent performance, as at least one goal was scored in seven of the matches, while two games ended in draws.

The match between Heartland and Enyimba was the highest scoring match as Enyimba FC defeated Heartland 3-1 away from home.

Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars, who played in front of their home fans, also scored three goals each against Bayelsa United and Ikorodu City respectively as the visiting teams failed to shine.

Bang, Bang, Rabiu Ali leads the Hotshot race
Veteran Rabiu Ali scored twice on the opening day to take the lead in the NPFL top scorer race as no other player on the day scored twice. He scored in the 69th and 79th minutes to give Kano Pillars a commanding lead against Ikorodu City.

Three convincing away wins
The start also saw three emphatic wins, which is a big deal as the NPFL is a league where away wins are a rarity.

So, scoring the maximum three points on the road and winning by a huge margin always make headlines as Remo Stars started off by beating Abia Warriors 2-0 away, Niger Tornadoes scored two goals against Kwara United only for Afonja Warriors to score a consolation goal late on.

Enyimba also gave Emmanuel Amuneke a tough start with Heartland FC in the league as Heartland lost at home 3-1.

First red card of the first day
The opening day also saw one player red-carded. The first bad boy of the season was Rivers United’s Bamidele Adeniyi against Bendel Insurance, although Rivers United survived and snatched a valuable point from Benin.

A look at the results and scorers of 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′

Sun Stars 3-0 Bayelsa Utd

Seidu Salisu 42′, Awosanmi Promise 54′, 74

Kwara Utd 1 – 2 Niger Tornadoes

Sadeeq Yusuf 90+1′ – Joseph Godstime 32′, Sabiu Ibrahim 62′

Bendel Insurance 0 – 0 United Rivers

Abia Warriors 0 – 2 stars Rowing

Sodiq Ismail 49′, Jide Fatokun 61′

Plateau United 1 – 0 Katsina United

Olawale Doyeni 23′ (PEN)

Nasarawa Utd 1 – 1 Shooting Stars

Anas Yusuf 56′ (PEN) – Samuel Ayanrinde 90+4′

Kano Pillars 3 – 0 Ikorodu City

Mustafa Umar 23′, Rabiu Ali 69′ 79′

Monday, September 9th

Lobi Stars – Akwa Utd

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