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| Rangers Int'l FC vs Abia Warriors FC |
The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) Champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu began 2017 season as they started it in 2016. They succumbed to a 2 - 1 defeat at home to the visiting Abia Warriors FC.
Fortune Omoniwari, newly signed from Akwa United FC gave the home team a lead in the 10th minutes of the encounter before Emeka Isaac's 25-yard effort in the 22nd minutes was deflected home after a well-worked corner taken by Bashir. Godwin Zaki scored from a spot kick in the 72nd minute and it stood as the decisive goal after blast of the final whistle.
Two of the NPFL newly promoted clubs recorded victories. ABS were 3 - 1 better than Akwa United FC in Kwara State, while Katsina United FC registered 2 goals against Gombe United's single goal.
Here are the full results from the first week's matches:
| Home | Score | Away |
| Kano Pillars | 3-0 | FC IfeanyiUbah |
| Shooting Stars | 2-0 | Lobi Stars FC |
| MFM FC | 3-0 | Niger Tornadoes |
| ABS | 3-1 | Akwa United FC |
| Rivers United FC | 2-1 | El-Kanemi Warriors FC |
| Rangers Int'l FC | 1-2 | Abia Warriors FC |
| Katsina United | 2-1 | Gombe United FC |
| Remo Stars | 1-2 | Plateau United |
| Wikki Tourists | 0-0 | Nasarawa United FC |
| Enyimba Int'l FC | 1-0 | Sunshine Stars |
Here's what the table looks like after the opening week:
| Position | Club | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Kano Pillars | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | MFM FC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | ABS FC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | Shooting Stars | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | Abia Warriors FC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 6 | Katsina United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | Plateau United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 8 | Rivers United | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 9 | Enyimba Int'l FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | Nasarawa United FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | Wikki Tourists | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | El-Kanemi Warriors FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 | 1 |
| 13 | Gombe United FC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 | 1 |
| 14 | Rangers Int'l FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 15 | Remo Stars | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 16 | Sunshine Stars | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 17 | Akwa United FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 18 | Lobi Stars FC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 19 | FC Ifeanyiubah | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
| 20 | Niger Tornadoes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
The Week 2 fixtures:
| Date | Time (Local) | Home | Away |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | Akwa United FC | Rivers United FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | Lobi Stars FC | Kano Pillars FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | FC Ifeanyiubah | MFM FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | Plateau United FC | Enyimba Int'l FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | Abia Warriors FC | Katsina United FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | El-Kanemi Warriors FC | Wikki Tourists FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | Gombe United FC | Remo Stars FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | Nasarawa United FC | Rangers Int'l FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | Niger Tornadoes FC | ABS FC |
| Wednesday, January 18 | 4 p.m. | Sunshine Stars FC | Shooting Stars FC |
Joseph Etim
Joseph Etim (B. Tech) is a blogger, mobile web developer and a tutor with a zeal for positive effects.
Website: Pepetimsblog
Come on you promise keepers!(h) @Akwa United FC
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