Football
Dami Ugbane, Special to ESPN 6y

Champions Plateau United secure away win on opening NPFL weekend

Plateau United began their league title defence on a winning note away from home, while Niger Tornadoes also picked up a brilliant win on the road on the opening weekend of the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Katsina United 2 Kano Pillars 2

Destiny Ashadi converted from the spot to earn Katsina United a point at home to 10-man Kano Pillars, in a dramatic first match of the season.

The thrilling encounter saw Pillars reduced to 10 men in the first half after Victor Dennis got a straight red card for a two-footed tackle. Junior Lokosa put Pillars ahead after 35-minutes -- the first league goal of the season.

Chinedu Ajanah equalised for Katsina on the stroke of halftime. Alassan Ibrahim restored Kano Pillars lead with a stunning goal, after which the referee awarded two penalties to the home team in the final 10 minutes; the first of which was saved goalkeeper David Obiazo.

Akwa United 2  Enugu Rangers 0

A goal in each half from debutants Kelly Kester and Dennis Nya, helped Akwa United to a vidtory over Enugu Rangers.

Victor Mbaoma -- another debutant -- set up Kester for the 40th-minute opening goal. Nya, signed from Lobi Stars, doubled the lead in the 67th-minute, a goal which sealed a spot at the top of the table for Akwa United.

Nasarawa United 0 Plateau United 1

Substitute Raphael Ayagwa was the match-winner for champions Plateau United away to Nasarawa United.

In a game devoid of major talking points, Nojeem Olukokun missed a big opportunity to put the home team ahead when he fired wide with just Okiemute Odah to beat.

He was left to rue that costly miss, as Ayagwa stunned the home support with an excellent goal which gave the champions a winning start to their title defence.

Lobi Stars 1 Enyimba 1

Ezekiel Mba converted a 65th-minute penalty to earn Lobi Stars a share of the points against Enyimba at the Aper Aku Stadium in Makurdi.

New boys Wasiu Alalade and Chinedu Udeagha combined for Enyimba's goal in the 39th-minute, Udeagha applying the finish. The People's Elephant were pegged back by Mba's cool finish from the spot.

Rivers United 1 El-Kanemi Warriors 0

Guy Keumian was the toast of Port Harcourt fans after his 67th-minute winner secured maximum points for Rivers United against El-Kanemi Warriors.

Despite Samuel Akinbinu missing a big chance for the home team after eight minutes, Rivers United failed to capitalise on the early momentum until Oche Salefu assisted Keumian for the lone goal of the game.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah 2 Yobe Desert Stars 1

Gabriel Adeboye's 73rd-minute goal handed FC Ifeanyi Ubah a winning start to the league season against newly-promoted Yobe Desert Stars.

Godwin Obaje opened his seasons account in the 37th-minute to hand FC Ifeanyi Ubah the lead. Chinedu Ohanachom's header levelled for the visitors in the 61st minute.

Adeboye broke the resilience of Yobe Desert Stars, scoring the game clincher which keeps FC Ifeanyi Ubah in fourth-place.

Abia Warriors 2 MFM FC 0

A second-half brace from Ndifreke Effiong handed Abia Warriors a perfect start to the season against MFM FC, who find themselves bottom of the table after the opening round of matches.

Effiong atoned for his saved first-half penalty by goalkeeper Abayomi Folarin, netting in the 52nd and 66th-minutes to earn a win that lifts Abia Warriors into third place.

Kwara United 0 Niger Tornadoes 2

Niger Tornadoes handed Kwara United a rude return to the top flight, hitting the Harmony Boys for two goals away from home.

Eric Frimpong handed the visiting team an 11th-minute lead, before Ibrahim Babawo scored the second goal for Tornadoes, sealing only the second away win of the weekend.

Wikki Tourists 1 Go Round FC 0

Wikki Tourists enjoyed a winning start to the new season, earning a narrow win against newly promoted Go Round FC at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.

Nafiu Kabuga capitalised on a mix-up in the visiting defence to score the lone goal on the stroke of halftime. Despite their sustained pressure, which included a ruled out effort from Abubakar Lawal, Wikki failed to add to the scoreline.

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