The 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League NPFL kicked off grandly on Sunday, 8th September 2024, with eight exciting matches following the season opener between defending champions Enugu Rangers and newcomers Elkanemi, which ended in a goalless draw. Football fans were kept waiting for over a week before finally witnessing the first goal of the season.
The first two goals of the season came from Olawale Doyeni of Plateau United and Mustapha Umar of Kano Pillars, both netting in the 23rd minute of their respective matches. Doyeni scored from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 victory over Katsina United, while Umar’s goal helped Kano Pillars defeat Ikorodu City 3-0. Umar’s strike was also the first from open play this season.
A total of 18 goals were recorded across nine matches, averaging two goals per game. Heartland’s 1-3 home defeat to Enyimba produced the most goals, with Ifeanyi Ihemekwele and Clinton Jephta starring for the visitors. Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars also enjoyed comprehensive home victories, each scoring three goals.
Veteran Rabiu Ali set the pace for the season’s top scorer race, netting twice in Kano Pillars’ dominant victory over Ikorodu City, with goals in the 69th and 79th minutes. Impressively, there were three away victories on the opening weekend. Remo Stars, Niger Tornadoes, and Enyimba secured crucial wins, defying the NPFL’s usual trend of home dominance. Remo Stars beat Abia Warriors 2-0, Tornadoes defeated Kwara United 2-1, and Enyimba overpowered Heartland 3-1.
The first red card of the season went to Rivers United’s Bamidele Adeniyi in their match against Bendel Insurance. Despite the setback, Rivers managed to secure a valuable away point in a goalless draw.
Editorial
The 2024/2025 NPFL season has begun with a mix of familiar patterns and new surprises. As we reflect on Matchday one, we are reminded of the depth and unpredictability that make the NPFL one of the most exciting leagues in African football. The narrative of the opening day underscores themes of resilience, breakthrough performances, and the continued presence of veterans who refuse to be overshadowed by younger talents.
The thrill of seeing Rabiu Ali, a seasoned campaigner, take an early lead in the goalscoring charts adds a nostalgic flavour to the season’s start. Ali’s brace on the opening weekend sends a clear message: experience remains invaluable in this league. His success, alongside Mustapha Umar and Olawale Doyeni’s early heroics, sets a high bar for the competition to follow.
Away victories in the NPFL are often rare, but three teams—Remo Stars, Niger Tornadoes, and Enyimba—defied expectations. These wins highlight a potential shift in the balance of power, suggesting that clubs may no longer be as reliant on home advantage as in previous seasons. This trend could lead to a more competitive and unpredictable league, which can only benefit Nigerian football.
However, the red card to Rivers United’s Bamidele Adeniyi serves as a reminder of the discipline required to navigate the rigours of the NPFL. Although Rivers escaped with a draw, the implications of such lapses in judgment could be costly as the season progresses.
As we look ahead, Matchday one has set the stage for an exciting season filled with drama, competition, and the ever-present potential for surprises. We must embrace this as a promising beginning, with the hope that the excitement of the opening day continues to build throughout the season.
Did You Know?
- The NPFL is notorious for its lack of away wins, making the three away victories on Matchday one particularly significant.
- Rabiu Ali, who scored twice on the opening weekend, is one of the oldest active players in the league.
- The NPFL has produced several players who have gone on to represent Nigeria at international tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations and the World Cup.
- Enyimba FC holds the record for the most NPFL titles, having won the league eight times.
- The NPFL regularly features clubs from all geopolitical zones of Nigeria, ensuring that fans across the country have local teams to support.
