NPFL Opening Day: 43-year-old legend, one-cap Super Eagles star and other goalscorers

The new season of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) took off with some exciting matches, living up to the pre-season hype.

The opening day witnessed a total of 18 goals. There were three away wins, three draws, and four home wins.

NPFL and Kano Pillars legend Rabiu Ali started the season with inspiration for young players as the 43-year-old bagged a brace against the newly promoted side, Ikorodu City.

Rabiu Ali's fantastic free-kick doubled the lead for Pillars in the 70th minute, and he bagged his second goal in the 80th minute.

Adding to Ali's brace, Mustapha Umar scored the first goal of the season for Kano Pillars.

Just like Ali, Enyimba's Clinton Jephta also got a brace to punish FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning coach Emmanuel Amuneke's side, Heartland of Owerri.

Ifeanyi Ihemekwele also put his name on the scoreboard on matchday one for Enyimba as Suraj Lawal scored a consolation goal for Heartland.

One-cap Super Eagles defender Sodiq Ismail was also on target as he kicked off the new NPFL season in spectacular fashion, scoring the opening goal in Remo Stars' 2-0 away victory against Abia Warriors.

Jide Fatokun doubled the lead for the Sky Blues to ensure victory in head coach Daniel Ogunmodede's absence. Daniel Ogunmodede is currently on national team duty with the Super Eagles for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

In Ijebu Ode, Seidu Salisu, Promise Awosanmi, and Stephen Chukwude's goals punished Bayelsa United as the Prosperity Boys could not prosper in their NPFL opener.

Olawale Doyeni's penalty in the 24th minute made the difference as Plateau United defeated Katsina United 1-0.