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There was late drama in Group B of the abridged NPFL season as away teams continued to impress early on in the season.
NPFL champions Rivers United survived a shaky start to their title defense after a late show against Lobi Stars in their season opener.
United denied their visitors Lobi Stars a share of the spoils in a late 2-1 win in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.
A late penalty goal saw the holders save their blushes with a late win over ten-man Lobi Stars.
The Pride of Rivers started on the front foot and opened the scoring through Morice Chukwu in the 16th minute. But Lobi Stars came back to score an equaliser in the second half.
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After the goal, the visitors were reduced to 10 men as Sunday Chukwu was sent off nine minutes after Lobi were back level for two yellow card offences.
Defending champions failed to take advantage of their numerical superiority despite playing with a man advantage for over 25 minutes in the second half.
But just when Lobi thought they had done enough for a share of the spoils, United were handed a lifeline as the referee awarded a penalty.
Substitute Kenechukwu Agu stepped up to calmly convert from 12 yards to seal the win and three points for the NPFL champions.
Warriors shock Rangers in Akwa
The first Oriental derby of the season saw Abia Warriors shock their host Enugu Rangers 2-0 in Akwa earlier in the day.
The Warriors netted both goals in either half to kick off their campaign in the best possible way, with a deserved away win.
Bello Lukman opened the scoring in the 41st minute before Yakub Hammed sealed all three points with the second in added time.
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Heartbreaks for Bayelsa, Doma
Elsewhere in Group B, newly promoted sides, Bayelsa United and Doma United suffered late heartbreaks in their respective games.
Bayelsa United were denied all three points after a 1-1 at home to Dakkada FC in Yenagoa.
Bayelsa led for 89 minutes thanks to Hassan’s first-half strike. But the promoted side failed to hold on as Daga Daniel ensured the spoils were shared with an impressive late goal for Dakkada FC.
In Gombe, it was a similar tale for another NPFL new boys as Doma United as they also suffered late heartbreak in Gombe against Sunshine Stars.
Charles Chibuike opened the scoring for the home side in the 39th minute, but Sunshine grabbed a point thanks to a late equaliser from Yusuf Ibrahim.
Elsewhere, Niger Tornadoes were too good for Wikki Tourist despite playing away from home. Tornadoes turned their host to Tourists in their home thanks to a 2-0 win.
Two second-half goals from Issah Saidu and David Okoromi did the magic for the Minna side.
The table
After the results, Abia Warriors are top of the table in Group B alongside Tornadoes and Rivers United.
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