NPFL MATCH DAY ONE: CHAMPIONS ENUGU RANGER BEGIN WITH A LOSS

The Flying Antelopes began their season with a shock defeat, while MFM breezed aside Niger Tornadoes

ABS FC 3-1 Akwa United

ABS FC started the 2017 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season with a 3-1 win over Akwa United at the Kwara Stadium Complex.

Goals from Mohammed Mohammed, Stone Evbuomawan and Abubakar Chindo gave Henry Makinwa's side a comfortable victory in the Week 1 fixture.
ABS FC were rewarded for the pressure they mounted on the Solid Miners as Metu delivered a superb cross to the box and Mohammed headed beyond goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode in the 12th minute.

Against the run of play, Akwa United were back on level terms and it was a moment of brilliance from Ifeanyi Ifeanyi whose corner kick met the head of Godspower Igudia on the 20 minutes mark.

Metu was the man for the big occasion once as he was brought down by Ottobong Effiong in the penalty box. Stone made no mistake in converting from the spot on the half hour.
Substitute Chindo provided the "insurance goal" when he controlled a cross field pass before side footing past Kayode.

Enugu Rangers 1-2 Abia Warriors

Home fans at the Cathedral were silenced as Abia Warriors shocked Enugu Rangers 2-1 on Sunday.

It was always going to be a tough ride for the Flying Antelopes and they paid a big price in the first Oriental Derby of the season.

The NPFL defending champions took the lead in the opening ten minutes thanks to former Sharks striker Fortune Omoniwari.
The Ochendo Babes responded almost immediately through Emeka Isaac, whose lovely lifted drive went past goalkeeper Nana Bonsou.

Hosts Rangers came out determined in the second half but it was the visitors who snatched the winner.

Godwin Zaki held his nerves to score from the penalty spot eighteen minutes from time.

Rivers United 2-1 El-Kanemi Warriors

Title favourites, Rivers United endured a late scare to claim a 2-1 win over El-Kanemi Warriors at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

Guy Kuemian gave the home fans something to cheer when he struck a masterful finish in the first-half of the game.

The Pride of Rivers found themselves on comfortable grounds after Kuemian's opening goal.

With Warriors playing under the pressure and needing a good result they pressed but were left further disappointed when Emeka Oghugh was on target in the 89th minute.

But the Desert Warriors were unrelenting and Bello Korfamata pulled one back for them at injury time.

MFM FC 3-0 Niger Tornadoes

MFM FC ran riot over Niger Tornadoes by winning 3-0 at the Agege Stadium.
Fidelis Ilechukwu's MFM started the game as the brightest side; they had two corner-kicks in the space of three minutes with the sole aim of getting the first goal.

They broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through Sikiru Olatunbosun.
MFM kept the pressure on the away side and in the 28th minute registered the second goal from usual source Stephen Odey.

The home lads took total control of the game as they toyed with the Ikon Allah Boys with their swift and juicy football.
It was 3-0 in the 31st minute of play as Adekunle Adegboyega registered his name on the scoresheet this time.

Shooting Stars 2-0 Lobi Stars

Shooting Stars got the revenge that they wanted after humbling Lobi Stars 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium for their first win of the season.

Afolabi Abdulwahab scored the opener in the 22nd minute from Apena Babatunde's assist. Abdulwahab could have doubled the tally in the 32nd minute, but his shot missed the target.

Substitute Sunday Faleye extinguished the slim hope of Lobi Stars with the second goal in the 66th minute.

Kastina United 2-1 Gombe United

Tasiu Lawal set the ball rolling for Katsina United on their return to the league of big boys.

The former Niger Tornadoes forward was on target as Katsina United got the better of Gombe United 2-1 at the Karkanda Stadium.
In the opening 15 minutes of the highly entertaining fixture, two goals had been netted.

Lawal scored the curtain raiser in the eighth minute before Manir Ubale equalised six minutes later.
Suleiman's goal which arrived four minutes after the half hour was crucial for the hosts who held on to the three points at stake.

Wikki Tourists 0-0 Nasarawa United

Wikki Tourists were left frustrated after being held to a goalless draw at home by Nasarawa United.

The Giant Elephants are in ninth position after failing to get a win at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi.
Kabiru Dogo's wards defended resolutely in the match and made no mistake at the back.

Nasarawa United had their goalkeeper Suraj Ayeleso to thank as he produced point blank saves during the game.
The Solid Miners can increase their stock with victory over Enugu Rangers in the week two of the 2017 NPFL on Wednesday.

Remo Stars 1-2 Plateau United

It was an unforgettable top-flight debut for Remo Stars who crashed 2-1 to Plateau United at the Gateway Stadium in Sagamu.

Both teams opened the game with a lot of vigor with each trying to out do the other.
John Kim opened the scoring midway through the first half, before Victor Mbaoma responded just before the break with a clinical header.
Golbe Elisha sealed the win for the Peace Boys seven minutes into the second stanza.

Enyimba FC 1-0 Sunshine Stars

Former NPFL champions Enyimba got their campaign off to a flying start with a 1-0 win over visiting Sunshine Stars of Akure.

The Akure Gunners were undone by a solitary goal from Mustapha Ibrahim.
Both teams cancelled each other out in the midfield with Enyimba gaining the upper hand in terms of possession but never look threatening in the visitors 18-yard box after 20 minutes.

Enyimba's attack, led by gangling striker Mustapha, found crown goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo a tough act to beat as he repeatedly produced save after save.
The first-half winner by Mustapha was enough for the two-time Caf Champions to edge the Akure based Stars.