Defending League champions, Kano Pillars, got their season off to a bright start on Sunday as they recorded an away victory over Wikki Tourist in one of the Week 1 fixtures of the newly christened Nigeria Professional Football League.

Rabiu Ali scored the only goal in the game that took place at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi as the Kano Aristocrats attempt to have the League title for keeps for another year.

Coach Baba Ganaru of Pillars had stated his intention of not only retaining the League Crown, but also giving a fight for the CAF Champions League where his team has already qualified for the second round.

In other venues, Ibadan fans were thrilled with the impressive performance of their darling team Shooting Stars as the Oluyole Warriors coasted to a 2-0 victory over visiting Gombe United.

Tony Edjomariegwe scored the first goal for Shooting stars off a Gbolahan Salami assist while Osagona Ighodaro made it two goals for the Oluyole Warriors as they went on to record their first win over Gombe United in three years.

In Akure, Sunshine Stars defeated Kaduna United 1-0. Petite striker Ajani Ibrahim was the goal scorer for the Mimiko Boys as they start life in their new stadium in Akure.

Also in Port Harcourt Coach Augustine Equaveon started his reign as Sharks gaffer with a win as the Garden City team defeated Warri Wolves 2-1.

The Ilorin derby between ABS FC and Kwara United ended goalless; Bayelsa United piped Lobi Stars by a lone goal while the most surprising result in the first round of games will be the 1-2 defaet of Heartland in Owerri by newly promoted Nembe City.

Full Week 1 results-Nigeria Professional Football League.

•ABS 0:0 Kwara Utd.

•Sunshine Stars 1:0 Kaduna Utd.

•3SC 2:0 Gombe Utd.

•Wikki Tourist 0:1 Kano Pillars. -away win

•Akwa Utd 1:0 Dolphins.

•Nasarawa Utd 0:0 El-Kanemi.

•Heartland 1:2 Nembe City.- away win

• Sharks 2:1 Warri Wolves

•Bayelsa 1:0 Lobi Stars.

•Rangers 1:0 Enyimba FC.