Home Teams in Flying Start to New NPFL Season – THISDAYLIVE

There might have been a few scares, but in the end the home teams got off to a good start on the opening day of action in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

Defending  champions Enugu Rangers saved themselves some blushes after they pegged back visiting Katsina United to a 1-1 draw, Kwara United fought back 2-0 in front of their fans to hold visitors Kano Pillars to a 2-2 draw.

Veteran Rabiu ‘Pele’ Ali scored Pillars second goal, before Alex Jerry scored in the 47th minute and then deep into stoppage time to rescue Kwara.

Ikorodu City recovered from Ranchers Bees going ahead after seven minutes to win 3-1 in Lagos.

The scorers for the Lagos team were Umar Dan’azumi and Abayomi Ayodeji in the first half, before Farouk Salami put away a penalty three minutes from time.

Doma United were 2-0 winners over fellow promoted team Sporting Lagos, Bendel Insurance won the derby against Warri Wolves 2-1 and Barau United were 3-1 winners at home against Nasarawa United.

Last season’s runners-up Rivers United beat visiting Plateau United 2-0, while the match between Abia Warriors and Kun Khalifat was rained off and the remaining 17 minutes will now be played tomorrow morning.

Earlier on Saturday, Shooting Stars set the tone for home wins when the Oluyole Warriors stopped promoted Inter Lagos 2-1.

RESULTS 

NPFL

Barau FC 3-1 Nasarawa

Bendel 2-1  W’Wolves

Doma Utd 2-0  Sporting Lag.

Ikorodu City 3-1 Ranchers 

Kwara Utd 2-2 K’Pillars 

Tornadoes 2-1 Enyimba 

Rangers 1-1 Katsina 

Rivers Utd 2-0 Plateau

Premier League 

Chelsea 4-3 Brighton 

Leeds 1-1 Brentford 

Sunderland 1-0 Fulham

Man Ut 5-2 Ipswich