Nigeria, Aug. 23 -- The 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season kicked off under the floodlights of the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Friday evening with all the drama befitting an opening-day blockbuster.

Defending champions Remo Stars, playing away from their Ikenne fortress due to renovation works, were forced to share the spoils with Rivers United in a gritty 1-1 draw that left both sides with equal measures of pride and frustration.

It took just three minutes for the visitors to stun the champions. Ironically, it was Remo's former player, Aniekeme Okon; arguably the shortest man on the pitch, who rose above everyone to head home the season's very first goal and put Rivers United in front.

The Sky Blue Star...