Champions Enyimba lose, 4 away wins herald league season openers

Enyimba FC of Aba

Taiwo Adelu
Enyimba FC of Aba

The 2015/2016 season of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) kicked off on surprise notes for some teams pundits thought should have easy ride in their first matches of the season.

Surprisingly, champions, Enyimba Football Club of Aba who are representing Nigeria in the CAF Champions League failed to sparkle as they bowed to newly transformed Rivers United (formerly Dolphin FC) of Port Harcourt.

Rivers United beat the defending champions 1-0 at the Adokie Amasiamaka Stadium Sunday evening through a 65th minute free kick goal from Frederick Obomate.

While Enyimba are licking their wounds from the defeat, elsewhere, it was celebration galore for four teams who secured away victories on the first day of the season. Newly promoted Lagos-based team, MFM FC were outstanding in their first match of the season, as they defeated Nasarawa FC 2-1.

Wikki Tourist also defeated El Kanemi at their home soil with 70th minute goal from Godwin Obaje to give the Tourist boys away victory.

FC Ifeanyi Ubah also made the difference in Jos, Plateau State when Seka Pascal’s goal in the second minute of the first half gave the team an away victory.

Newly appointed Kadiri Ikhana at Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan tasted defeat in his first match with Oluyole Warriors as 15th minute goal from Kingsley Eduwo ensured that Lobi Stars of Makurdi ran away with three points at Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan.

Meanwhile, Kano Pillars escaped a home draw, thanks to Prince Aggreh’s added time goal in the second half to give the Kano side a 2-1 victory over Rangers International of Enugu.

NPFL’s new boys in Lagos, Ikorodu United, controlled by a management team headed the chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya, were able to escaped defeat.

Ndifreke Effiong put Abia Warriors ahead at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos Island in the first half of the encounter watched by a huge crowd which included the chairman of Lagos State Sports Commission, Deji Tinubu, only for substitute Agbane Candy Augustine to equalise and save the face of Ikorodu United in the 49th minute.

Sunshine Stars of Akure were held to a 1-1 draw by Akwa United, while Heartland FC played a barren draw against Warri Wolves in Owerri.

 

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Sunday’s Results at a Glance

Sunshine Stars 1-1 Akwa Utd

Giwa FC 0-1 FC Ifeanyi Ubah

El-Kanemi 0-1 Wikki Tourists

Nasarawa Utd 1-2 MFM

Ikorodu Utd 1-1 Abia Warriors

Rivers United 1-0 Enyimba FC

Heartland 0-0 Warri Wolves

Shooting Stars 0-1 Lobi

Pillars 2-1 Rangers

Saturday’s Result

Plateau Utd 2-1 Tornadoes

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