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The 2025–26 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season kicked off in Abeokuta with champions Remo Stars and Rivers United sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw, Footynaija.com reports.
With their Ikenne ground still under renovation, Remo Stars hosted last season’s runners-up at the MKO Abiola Stadium in what was billed as an early-season heavyweight clash.
FT
— NPFL News (@NPFL_News) August 22, 2025
Remo Stars FC 1-1 Rivers United FC#NPFL26 #REMRIV pic.twitter.com/B49IHnZXHo
The visitors struck first when Aniekeme Okon, facing his former club, headed home inside three minutes after Timothy Zachariah’s deflected cross. His effort goes into the record books as the first goal of the new NPFL campaign.
GOAL NO. 001
— NPFL News (@NPFL_News) August 22, 2025
The first goal of the season!
Aniekeme Okon opens the scoring against his former side after a deflected cross from Timothy.#NPFL26 #REMRIV pic.twitter.com/fsOV6WOVbJ
Remo Stars responded quickly. Striker Victor Mbaoma, returning to the Ikenne-based club after more than six years, produced a clinical finish in the ninth minute to restore parity. It was his 52nd career NPFL strike and his 16th for the club.
MBAOMA‼️
— NPFL News (@NPFL_News) August 22, 2025
Class is permanent.
It took only 8 minutes for the striker to make his mark on his return to the #NPFL.
What an absolutely brilliant piece of play — and a superb assist — from Samuel Anakwe. #NPFL26 #REMRIV pic.twitter.com/kMig1jMjIK
The champions nearly completed the turnaround when Michael Ibe’s curling free-kick rattled the woodwork. But their hopes suffered a setback with Mbaoma forced off injured, replaced by Malian forward Adama Goita.
Samuel Anakwe then twice went close to giving Remo the lead before the interval, denied once by the crossbar and again by goalkeeper Victor Sochima.
Half-time
— Remo Stars Sports Club (@RemoStarsSC) August 22, 2025
✨ |1-1| ⚪️#REMRIV | #NPFL26 pic.twitter.com/jp57CaNcB8
The second half offered chances at both ends but no breakthrough. Goita was blocked at the last moment after a slick build-up, while Anakwe and Alex Oyowah also saw efforts narrowly miss.
Rivers ended the game with ten men after Temple Emekayi was sent off in stoppage time, though the champions could not find a winner.
Remo Stars remain unbeaten at home in the league since May 2022, a run now stretching to 52 matches.
