Nigerian league: Enyimba lose, IfeanyiUbah, MFM FC win

Sunday, February 21, 2016 7:42 pm

Enyimba FC: lose season opener

By Taiwo Adelu

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

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 Amaesiamaka Stadium Sunday evening through a 65th minute free kick from Frederick Obomate.

While Enyimba are licking their wounds from the defeat, elsewhere, it was celebration 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 IfeanyiUbah also made the difference in Jos, Plateau State when Seka Pascal’s goal in the two minutes of the first half gave the team an away victory.

Newly appointed manager, Kadiri Ikhana of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan tasted defeat in his first match with the Oluyole Warriors as the 15th minute goal from Kingsley Eduwo ensured that Lobi Stars of Markudi 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 escape defeat.

Ndifreke Effiong put Abia Warriors ahead at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos Island in the first half of the encounter watched by a mammonth 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.

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