NPFL REVIEW: Goals galore on matchday one as season begins in style

The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2021/22 season began on Friday, with Remo Stars and MFM involved in the league's opener, and more games were played on Sunday across various centres in the country.

Maybe it was not the script many expected in some NPFL games on the opening weekend, as a total of 23 goals were scored in the nine games that happened over the weekend.

Newly promoted Remo Stars edged MFM 2-0 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Friday. After a goalless first half where play was insipid and lack of coordination was evident, Academy Product Akanni Qudus opened the scoring for the visitors in the 55th minute after a slip-up from the home side's defender. MFM huffed and puffed for an equaliser but it never came. 

Late on, a cross from Dayo Ojo wasn't dealt with by the Olukoya Boys' defence and that allowed lanky forward Andy Okpe to tap into an unguarded net to seal all three points for the Ikenne side.

Akwa United thumped Kano Pillars 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium to begin their title defence in style. After an uneventful campaign on the continent earlier this season, eyes were fixed on them to see what they will do in the NPFL this season.

Goals from Ezekiel Bassey, Stephen Chukwude and Friday Ubong earned Kennedy Boboye a winning start to the campaign - a rarity for the Promise Keepers in recent seasons.

Finidi Geroge's side claimed a hard-fought 2-1 win over Abia Warriors at the Aba International Stadium on Sunday. New signing Ekene Awazie opened the scoring for the Aba Elephants in the first half, but a worldie of a strike from Paul Samson parity for Imama Amapakabo's side.

Just like he did on multiple occasions last season, former Nasarawa United fullback Chigozie Obasi powered home a free kick in the 77th minute to hand Enyimba the lead once more. Obasi's goal proved to be the winner as the former NPFL champions claimed a successive seventh league win over the Umuahia side.

Nasarawa United, who scored the most goals in the NPFL last campaign (54), held Heartland to a 3-3 exciting draw at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday.

New frontman Ajibola Otegbeye handed the visitors the lead from the spot in the 15th minute. Four minutes from the break, Ikenna Stephen did level from the penalty spot for the Naze Millionaires, but Otegbeye managed to complete his brace late in the half to hand his side a half time lead.

Upon the restart, Chukwudi Nwaodu scored for Heartland after the visitors failed to clear their lines. Former Nasarawa United striker Chinedu Ohanachom then bundled home in the 67th minute to give Heartland the lead for the first time in the game.

The Solid Miners, after going down, managed to pick themselves up and get another goal in the final quarter of the game. Abubakar Abdullahi headed home a cross from Paul Odeh to send the bench into wild jubilations.

Meanwhile, Odeh was sent off late on, but that didn't stop Bala Nikyu's side from earning a well deserved point in Owerri.

In the double header at the Kwara Sports Complex, Niger Tornadoes and Kwara United claimed a 1-0 and 3-0 win over Plateau United and Dakkada FC respectively on Sunday.

Former MFM forward Kabiru Adeniji scored the only goal for Abubakar Bala's men as they returned to the NPFL on a winning note.

For Kwara United, talisman Steven Jude picked up from where he left off last season by scoring a brace against the Akwa Ibom side. Former goal king Junior Lokosa added a goal of his own to cap a lovely evening for Abdullahi Biffo's men in front of the home support.

Shooting Stars left the Pantami stadium unscathed after playing a goalless draw with Gombe United in an all promoted side affair on Sunday.

Abdu Maikaba and Enugu Rangers claimed a first win in Katsina after a spirited 2-1 win over Katsina United. Mustapha Musa scored for the hosts, while Chidiebere Nwobodo and Ossy Martins got the goals for the Flying Antelopes. 

In Makurdi, Ishaq Rafiu's first half goal for Rivers United was cancelled out by Barnabas Imenger's early goal in the second half as Lobi Stars and Rivers United settled for a share of the spoils. 

Gombe Utd 0-0 3SC 

Akwa Utd 3-0 Kano Pillars

Lobi 1-1 Rivers Utd

Katsina Utd 1-2 Rangers

Enyimba 2-1 Abia Warriors

Kwara Utd 3-0 Dakkada

Heartland 3-3 Nasarawa Utd

Niger Tornadoes 1-0 Plateau United

MFM 0-2 Remo Stars

Sunshine v Wikki Tourists (game didn't hold)