NPFL: Plateau Utd begin title defence with away victory; MFM lose

Champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), Plateau United began their title defence with a 1-0 away victory against Nassarawa United on Sunday.

The Jos side left it late thanks to a Raphael Ayagwa effort, ​to see off their hosts at the Lafia City Stadium.

​​Ayagwa was a substitute in the game and he came on for Benjamin Turbathe and made history for his side as this is the first time since 2013 that a title holder will win their first game of the season.

​Elsewhere, last season’s runners-up MFM FC started their campaign on a poor note, losing 2-0 against Abia Warriors at the Umuahia Township Stadium with former U-23 star Ndifreke Effiong scoring both goals.

Enyimba were held by Lobi Stars after Ezekiel Mbah’s goal cancelled out Chinedu Udeagha while Rivers United defeated El-Kanemi Warriors as ​Guy Keumian Venance gave the Port Harcourt side the win.​

Read Also: CHAN: Coach Yusuf upbeat as Eagles kick off campaign against Rwanda

FC Ifeanyiubah also came out victorious on the opening day following a hard fought 2-1 home win against Yobe Desert Stars.

​The full results of NPFL matchday 1

​:​
​
Katsina 2-2 Pillars

Akwa Utd 2-0 Rangers

Rivers Utd 1-0 Elkanemi Warriors

Heartand 0-0 Sunshine Stars

Kwara Utd 0-2 Tornadoes

Abia Warrior 2-0 MFM FC

Wikki Tourists 1-0 Go-round

FCIU 2-1 Yobe Stars

Lobi Stars 1-1 Enyimba

Nassarawa Utd 0-1 Plateau Utd

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now