The 2023/2024 season of the Nigeria Professional Football League after weeks of postponement commenced in style with loads of goals across different match centers.
The star match of matchday 1 was at the Samson Sia Sia stadium in Yenogoa where league returnees, Bayelsa United hosted former champions, Akwa United.
The match ended in a pulsating 8-goal thriller as the home side won 5-3 after 90 minutes.
Hadi Mohammed gave the away side the lead in the 21st minute but the lead only lasted six minutes as Alex Jerry restored parity.
Akwa United’s Oguntayo Seyi scored in the 38th minute as the away side look to take control of the match going into half time. However, Roberto Mizo equalized with a few minutes to the break to tie the score again.
Oguntayo Seyi bagged his brace in the 76th minute with the hope of securing all three points for Fatai Osho’s side.
Nevertheless, Robert Mizo continued to terrorise Akwa United’s defense line. The sharp striker scored in the 82 and 89th minutes to secure his hattrick – the first in the league this season as Bayelsa took the lead.
With few minutes to the end of the match, Emmanuel Gomez dashed the hope of Akwa United getting a late equalizer as he scored in added tome to make it 5-3.
Bayelsa United currently top the log with three points after matchday 1.
Robert Mizo becomes the first player to score a hattick in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League season.
Other results of matchday 1 include:
Shooting stars 2-1 Plateau Utd
Bayelsa United 5-3 Akwa Utd
Abia warriors 1-0 Niger Tornadoes
Sunshine stars 1-0 Kano pillars
Enugu Rangers 2-1 Doma united
Katsina Utd 1-0 Kwara Utd
Heratland 2-2 Lobi Stars
Enyimba v Bendel Insurance PP
Rivers United v Remo Stars PP
Image Credit: Fisayo Dairo
