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By Abiodun Adewale.
The first round of matches in the 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League produced 24 goals in 10 matches on Sunday.
Following a stunning start in Uyo, the elongated match-day one continued on Saturday and Sunday with more shocking away results as well as a thriller in Jos.
The dubbed Group of Death, Group A, produced the thriller of the week between Plateau United and 3SC in Jos as the game ended 3-3 after the visitors had gone up twice and with a two-goal cushion.
Thanks to a brace from Emmanuel Ifeanyi and another goal from Izuchukwu Chimezie, Plateau United came back three times to level up with their visitors.
Meanwhile, in Ibadan, Kwara United, who adopted the Lekan Salami Stadium as their home ground could not find a way past newly promoted side, Gombe United, who held them to a goalless draw.
Elsewhere in Ikenne, Samuel Anakwe and Edidiong Ezekiel scored in either half as Remo Stars beat visiting El-Kanemi Warriors 2-0.
The results on Sunday in Group A add up to the 2-1 home defeat of Nasarawa United in the hands of Enyimba on Saturday.
The wave of shock spiraled across Group B as well, where there were two more victories on the road for Abia Warriors and Niger Tornadoes.
Coach Erasmus Onuh indeed proved to be a mastermind again, as he led Abia Warriors to a famous 2-0 victory over Enugu Rangers in an Oriental derby. Bello Lukman handed the visitors the lead before halftime and Monday Yakubu rounded up matters in added time for Abia Warriors.
As it was in Akwa, so it was in Bauchi, where Niger Tornadoes secured a 2-0 win over Wikki Tourists in front of their fans. After a goalless first half, the visitors broke the deadlock through Idris Saidu’s freekick in the 74th minute, before David Okoromi added the second with a tap home two minutes later.
At the Pantami Stadium in Gombe, Sunshine Stars FC of Akure scored a late goal to secure a 1-1 draw against newcomers, Doma United. The home side were almost running out with a slim win, until striker Ibrahim Yusuf guided home Lawal Murtala’s free-kick for a late equaliser.
In Port Harcourt, champions Rivers United needed a late penalty to secure a 2-1 win over Lobi Stars. Morice Chukwu opened the scoring for Rivers as early as the 16th minute, but the visitors restored parity in the second half through Abba Umar.
In the closing stages of the game, the hosts won a penalty and was slotted home by Kenechukwu Agu, who sent goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel the wrong way.
The last game in Group B ended 1-1 between Bayelsa United and Dakkada at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.