Best Matches of the NPFL 2022-2023 Season

The best matches of the concluded Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season gave us drama, excitement, and goals to remember. On this note, we've decided to remind ourselves of the very best games the past season has given us, and we hope to witness yet another great season as the new one kicks off in a few months time.

Plateau United 3-3 Shooting Stars (15 January)

Plateau United welcomed Shooting Stars to the New Jos Stadium on Matchday 1 of the 2022-2023 season. Shooting Stars went 2-1 up in the first half, and were leading 3-1 at some point in the game, but the home side reorganized themselves in the second half to even the score at 3-3, giving us one of two only games to ever produce 6 goals in the NPFL abridged season.

Nasarawa United 0-3 Akwa United (22 January)

Akwa United despite the hardship of the long distance journey to Lafia to face Nasarawa United, emerged victorious over the home side, with Ndifreke Effiong on the double in the second half to give us one of the best matches of the NPFL season, and also the second most-scoring away win of the abridged season.

Dakkada 2-4 Abia Warriors (4 February)

Abia Warriors visited Dakkada FC in round 6 of the NPFL regular Group B season to give us one of the most-scoring games of the season. Abia Warriors scored 4 away goals to finish as the most scoring away game of the season. Interestingly, all 6 goals were scored by 6 different players.

Plateau United 5-0 El-Kanemi Warriors (15 February)

Plateau United welcomed El-Kanemi Warriors to the New Jos Stadium in round 8 of the NPFL 2022-2023 season. The home side put up a 5-star performance to record one of three biggest home wins of the season. It was an exciting match for the home fans who enjoyed as their team played one of the best games in recent years.

Gombe United 3-2 Plateau United (20 February)

This was the best week 9 match of the NPFL 2022-2023 season. It was the most-scoring and also the most intriguing. The home side led 2-1 at the break, but Plateau United levelled the scores and looked like snatching a point. However, in the 5th minute of added time, Mahanadou Souley scored a penalty to grab all 3 points for Gombe United.

Bayelsa United 5-1 Abia Warriors (2 April)

Bayelsa United put up one of the best performances of the season, and the best performance of round 12. Abia Warriors got involved with another 6-goals thriller having been involved with their first 6-goals affair in round 6 where they defeated Dakkada FC 2-4. This time however, they were on the receiving end, conceding 5 goals.

Lobi Stars 3-2 Rivers United (12 April)

Rivers United visited Lobi Stars in round 11 of the 2022-2023 regular season. This encounter was a tough one for the former NPFL champions. The Pride of Rivers were reduced to 10 men after their goalkeeper, Sochima was given his marching orders in the first half that was particularly tough for both teams.

In the second half, 10 men Rivers United opened the scoring but shortly conceded. Lobi Stars went ahead in the 86th minute to stay on course of grabbing all 3 points. However, in the 90th minute, Rivers United drew level, but there was still drama left in the game, as Lobi Stars finally overpowered the 10 men visitors in added time to give us one of the best matches of the NPFL season.

Enyimba 5-0 Gombe United (7 May)

Enyimba produced their best performance of the season as they welcomed Gombe United to the Enyimba International Stadium in Matchday 17. Emeka Obioma who ended as the league's top scorer, put in his best performance in this game, scoring a hattrick to the delight of the home fans. Enyimba went on to win the league.

Remo Stars 4-0 Kwara United (21 May)

Remo Stars went head-to-head with Kwara United with Championship playoff qualification at stake in the last day of the regular season. Ogunmodede's men played their best attacking match of the NPFL season in this encounter, scoring all 4 goals in the first half. The win ensured that Remo Stars finished 2nd in Group A, and a place in the Super Six Championship round.

Rivers United 2-2 Remo (5 June)

Rivers United battled Remo Stars at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in round 2 of the Championship playoffs. Both teams were title contenders and were both in good form going into the match. Rivers United put their noses in front in the 16th minute. It was in the 71st minute of the game another goal was scored, an equalizer by Remo and neither side scored again in 90 minutes.

In added time, Remo Stars thought to have scored the winning goal, but a quick-fire goal from Rivers United in the 6th minute of added time ensured the match ended 2-2. It was a great game for the fans who witnessed it.

Sunshine Stars 0-3 Enyimba FC (9 June)

The NPFL Champions played their best game of the Championship playoffs as they squared off with Sunshine Stars. Mbaoma was the star of the match, scoring twice in the first 8 minutes to send Enyimba within a point of securing their 9th league title. Enyimba scored a 3rd goal, and ended up having the best goal-difference amongst the title contenders, eventually triumphing on superior goal-difference.

Enyimba 1-1 Rivers United (11 June)

This was the title-deciding match, as the two best teams squared off for the title. Both sides played their best to emerge victorious. But it was Enyimba who put their noses in front in the 39th minute to lead at halftime.

In the second half, Rivers United restored parity from a Nyima goal in the 48th minute. From then on the match became so interesting, as both sides sought to score more goals. Nevertheless, both defenses stood firm as the game ended 1-1.

Enyimba emerged as champions on goal-difference, having finished the playoffs with the same points as Remo Stars, and Rivers United. Enyimba and Remo qualified for CAF Champions League, while Rivers United who finished 3rd, qualified for the CAF Confederations Cup.