The 2025–26 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season opened with a gripping contest in Abeokuta, where champions Remo Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by last season’s runners-up Rivers United, Soccernet.ng reports.
With their Ikenne home ground still under renovation, Remo Stars began their title defence at the MKO Abiola Stadium.
The match had the air of a heavyweight clash, with Rivers United historically dominant in this fixture, winning seven and drawing three of the last 11 league meetings.
It was Rivers United, led by Super Eagles legend Finidi George, who struck first.
Barely three minutes in, winger Aniekeme Okon punished his former club with a smart headed finish from Timothy Zachariah’s deflected cross.
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
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The effort etched his name into NPFL history as the scorer of the league’s first goal of the new season.
Remo Stars, however, responded swiftly through returning striker Victor Mbaoma.
Making his first NPFL appearance for the club in over six years, the two-cap Nigeria international levelled matters in the ninth minute with a clinical strike — his 52nd career NPFL goal and 16th for Remo Stars.
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 crossbar on 20 minutes. But their momentum was checked by Mbaoma’s injury, forcing him off for summer signing Adama Goita of Mali.
Samuel Anakwe twice came close to giving Remo Stars the lead before the break, only to be denied by the crossbar and a sharp save from Rivers goalkeeper Victor Sochima.
The second half maintained its intensity without further goals. Goita was denied by a last-ditch block after a clever interchange with Adedayo Olamilekan, while Anakwe continued to threaten, flashing a shot wide and later creating a chance for Alex Oyowah that deflected behind.
Rivers United finished the match with 10 men after defender Temple Emekayi was dismissed in stoppage time for dangerous play, but Remo Stars could not make their numerical advantage count.
The draw extends Remo Stars’ remarkable unbeaten home record in the NPFL to 52 matches, stretching back to May 2022 when they lost 3-1 to Kano Pillars.
It was a spirited start to the season, though both sides will feel they left points behind.
