In the Nigeria Premier Football League on Wednesday, Abia Warriors cruised past the newly promoted Bayelsa United at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
A 3-1 result marked the second straight victory of the new season for the team led by coach Erasmus Onu.
Kalu Nweke got the Warriors rolling early on with one of the easiest goals he will ever score, tapping into an empty net in the 2nd minute.
Bello Lukman almost doubled the lead for the home side in the 14th minute, but his well struck freekick was parried for a corner kick.
However, the relentless forward finally got his name on the scoresheet in the 65th minute with an emphatic strike off an unbelievable pass from Henry Udezuka.
The 20-year-old attacker had an eventful evening as his own goal in the 83rd minute provided a lifeline for the Restoration boys of Bayelsa.
Udezuka restored his side’s two-goal lead in the closing stages of the encounter, finishing off a Musa Najete pass to provide a breather for the Abia boys.
Akwa Ibom-based club Dakkada FC got their first win of the season with a comeback victory over Wikki Tourists.
Ismaila Maiyaki put Tourists ahead before Kufre Ebong equalised on the half hour mark
Dakkada captain Aniekan Ekpe completed the comeback from the penalty spot with a brilliantly taking spotkick in the 66th minute.
Lobi Stars defeated Enugu Rangers 1-0 at the Aper Aku Stadium to earn their first win of the season.
Atule Joseph’s late strike got the deserving three points for the Ortom boys in front of their home fans.
The other match of the day saw the People’s Elephant of Enyimba held to a goalless draw at home by 2020-21 NPFL champions Akwa United.
The draw ended Akwa United’s run of five consecutive away defeats in the NPFL.
The remaining matches in matchday 2 will be played on Thursday by 4pm WAT as Shooting Stars face Kwara United, while Gombe United will face a stern test from last season’s third-place team, Remo Stars.
Newcomers Bendel Insurance and Doma United will battle it out against Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes, respectively, while El-Kanemi Warriors will face Nasarawa United, and Sunshine Stars will lock horns with Rivers United at the Akure Stadium.
