Nigeria, Aug. 23 -- Defending champions Remo Stars began their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title defense with a bruising 1-1 draw against last season's runners-up Rivers United on Friday evening at their temporary home, the M.K.O Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta.

It was an evening of mixed emotions for head coach Daniel Ogunmodede, who marked his 100th game in charge of the Sky Blue Stars.

What should have been a dream milestone nearly turned sour when former Remo player Aniekeme Okon silenced the Abeokuta crowd with a towering header; ironically from one of the shortest men on the pitch, just three minutes into the season opener.

But Ogunmodede's men responded swiftly. New signing Victor Mbaoma, in his third stint with the clu...