The opening day of the new season in the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) had it all as 10-man Kano Pillars battled to a 2-2 draw against their hosts Katsina United.

The away side took the lead through Junior Lokosa with 33 minutes on the clock for the first goal of the new season but were immediately dealt a big blow after Victor Dennis was sent off just before halftime for a straight lunge.

Katsina United capitalised on the numerical advantage to level proceedings on the stroke of halftime courtesy Chinedu Ajanah Chukwujekwu.

Former champions Kano Pillars went ahead again just pass the hour mark before two penalties tested their resolve to get a result.

The aforementioned Chinedu Ajanah was upended in the box in the last 10 minutes but Muhammad Hussein’s penalty was saved by Pillars goalkeeper David Obiazor.

The home side were awarded another penalty in added time but this time Destiny Ashadi made no mistake as he scored to secure a point for his side.