NPFL: Mizo Hat-Trick As Goals Rain Flood Yenagoa

Bayelsa United striker, Robert Mizo, stole the show on the opening day of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League, scoring a hat-trick in their thrilling 5-3 win over Akwa United at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa on Saturday.

Mizo began from where he stopped last season by scoring two equalisers, before netting the winner in the 87th minute.

Akwa began the game on the front foot, taking the lead twice through Hadi Mohammed and Seyi Oguntayo, while Alex Jerry and Mizo levelled matters before halftime.

Oguntayo restored the Promise Keepers’ lead in the second half with his second of the game.

Mizo, however, responded to make it 3-3 in the 82nd minute and completed his hat-trick with Bayelsa United’s fourth in the 85th minute before Emmanuel Nneoyi added the fifth on the stroke of regulation time.

• Also read: Sunshine Stars edge Pillars in NPFL season Kick-Off

In Ibadan, Gbenga Ogunbote-led 3SC began their season on a winning note with a 2-1 win over Plateau United at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

Returnee Junior Ayobami gave 3SC the lead into the break and second half substitute, Anayo Ogbona, headed in their second goal with 15 minutes left on the clock but Uche Onwuasoanya reduced the deficit for Plateau after capitalising on a slip from a 3SC defender.

Elsewhere in Owerri, Heartland came back from two goals down to mark their return to the topflight with a 2-2 draw against Lobi Stars.

Patrick Nwogbaga and Ezekiel Bassey scored two second half goals for the Nazi Millionaires after Waheed Adebayo and Francis Odinaka had given Lobi the win.

Katsina United also marked their return with a 1-0 win over Kwara United courtesy of a 72nd minute goal from Lukman Bello while their northwest rivals Kano Pillars were beaten 1-0 in Akure by Sunshine Stars.