By Onyekachi Chimezie
The 51st edition of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicked off on the 8th January as this year’s competition began with an abridged format for the first time since the 2018/2019 seasons in which 24 teams took part in.
The 2022/2023 NPFL season commenced in Uyo as 20 teams looked to battle for a spot in the league’s super six at the end of the season.
Imade Osarenkhoe and Ismael Sekiri’s goal were enough as newcomers Bendel Insurance came out with a stunning 0-2 victory away to Akwa United in a group A tie in Akwa Ibom state last week Sunday in the first game of the new season.
The Benin-based team finally won for the first time after being out of the top division for three years and seven months following their relegation from the NPFL in 2019.
Matchday one continued seven days later as record holders, Enyimba traveled to Jos to face Nasarawa united in the second match of group A.
The eight-time champions defeated the host 2-1 courtesy of two first half goals by Elijah Akanni and Imo Obot towards the end of the half.
Nasarawa United then got one back after their second half pressure through Oche Josiah after Ikenna Offor’s spot kick was saved as the game ended in defeat for the host who now lost their first home fixture since the 2018/2019 season after a 0-1 defeat to Plateau United also on Matchday one.
Sunday fixtures will see the remaining six clubs in group A tagged the group of death as Kwara United, Plateau United, Gombe United, El-Kanemi Warriors, Shooting Stars, Remo Stars are set to lock horns following Bendel Insurance win over Akwa United and Enyimba victory away at Nasarawa united.
The Plateau based club who finished as runners up last season will hope to continue with an impressive home form which they held all through last season having gained 55 points from 19 games tied with League winners Rivers United as they welcome Shootings Stars of Ibadan.
3SC struggled throughout last season as they escaped being relegated on the last day through goal difference.
A tie which saw the away side win their last meeting in the league 2-1 towards the end of last season but Plateau United have failed to drop a point at home since 2010 against the south western side as the game will kick off 4pm on Sunday evening at the Zaria road stadium in Jos.
Kwara United will hope to improve on their fourth place finish last season as they welcome Gombe United who finished seventh, finishing six points below the continental spot at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan.
A fixture which had been a home and away affair last, saw each side picking the maximum points in front of their home fans.
2021/2022 NPFL season’s third best placed team Remo Stars, will host league’s newcomers El Kanemi Warriors at the remo stars stadium in Ikenne.
Both sides have only met twice with each team winking on home soil in 2017.
Group B fixtures will commence with a South South derby as Aiteo Cup holders will play host to Dakkada FC at the Samson Siasia stadium.
Bayelsa United who gained promotion back into the NPFL after emerging champions of the Group B2 Southern Conference of the 2021/22 Nigerian National League (NNL).
This will be the first meeting of both sides in the top flight as Bayelsa United defeated them at home in a NNL fixture in 2018 in one of their two meetings.
Wikki Tourist play host to Niger Tornadoes at the Tafawa balewa stadium in Bauchi state.
This will be the 13th meeting amongst the pair, with five each and with two ending in a stallment draw as their last eight encounter ended with the home side claiming victory.
NPFL debutant Doma United, will play their first ever NPFL match in front of their home fans at the Pantami Stadium in Gombe as they welcome Sunshine Stars of Akure.
This will be the first meeting between both teams as the Gombe based private club have never played Sunshine Stars in a competitive game before.
Enugu Rangers will commence their season with an eastern derby against Abia Warriors at the Awka city stadium in Awka.
This season saw the reigning champions Rivers United drafted in group B, a group which is tagged by many as an easy group for the pride of rivers as they a been drawn alongside Niger Tornadoes, Doma United, Wikki Tourists, Lobi Stars, Abia Warriors, Dakkada FC, Rangers Int’l, Sunshine Stars and Bayelsa United.
Rivers United headlines Group B, the south eastern side will battle with Lobi Stars as they try to begin their title defense with a win at home to the side who finished in 15th position last season, avoiding relegation with just a point.
All remaining eight fixtures of round one will kick off at 4pm on Sunday.
