Giants Enyimba got the better of visiting Abia Warriors in the ninth league meeting between both sides, securing a lone-goal win courtesy of Stanley Dimgba's brilliant second-half free kick.
The victory, however, came at a high cost, as the two-time African champions made three injury-enforced substitutions, the brunt of the overly physical approach by the visitors.
Paul Aigbogun made two changes to the side that drew against Rivers United in Port Harcourt. Andrew Abalogu was not fit enough to take part, and saw his place taken by Leonard Ugochukwu; while Chinonso Okonkwo served a suspension for his sending-off at the weekend, with Stephen Chukwude coming in and captaining the side.
A typically tense, cagey fixture lived up to its precedent, with chances fee and far between in the early going. Stanley Dimgba tested Abia Warriors goalkeeper Agbor Ekoi on a couple of occasions from distance, but the game's first clear-cut opportunity fell to the visitors.
A low cross from the left was met by lively striker Samson Obi, who had stolen a yard on Nelson Ogbonnaya, but his stabbed finish lacked accuracy and went over the top.
From a Dare Ojo corner, Chukwude then stole in at the near post to almost open the scoring. His deft flick however came back off the upright, with Franco Atchou off-balance and unable to turn home the rebound.
The second half began as the first had ended, with Enyimba hitting the frame of the goal again, this time the crossbar, from a set-piece. Dimgba beat the wall with a free kick from the edge of the box, but saw his effort repelled.
With the visitors keeping an admirably disciplined shape, it was going to take a moment of inspiration to break them down. That was duly supplied 20 minutes from time, as Dimgba curled a free kick from the right flank over the stranded Ekoi and all the way in.
The goal sparked the visitors into action, and Enyimba endured a frightful moment as Ndifreke Effiong's firm header cannoned off the crossbar, with Dauda beaten.
Enyimba however saw out the game to secure bragging rights, and consecutive home wins for the first time this season.
FINAL: Enyimba (Stanley Dimgba 70') 1-0 Abia Warriors
Enyimba Starting XI: Fatau Dauda, Olayinka Onaolapo (Ernest Governor 33'), Nelson Ogbonnaya (Ifeanyi Anaemena 88'), Benjamin Francis, Farouk Mohammed (Dare Ojo 27'), Franco Atchou, Chinedu Udeagha, Stanley Dimgba, Leonard Ugochukwu, Stephen Chukwude.
Unused Substitutes: Friday Achimugwu, Freedom Omofoman, Emeka Obioma, Joseph Osadiaye.
Abia Warriors Starting XI: Agbor Ekoi, Chinedu Ozor, Ubong Williams, Emeka Isaac, Goodluck Ozioma (Bashir Sherif 87'), Abiodun Adebayo, Chinedu Efugh, Yakub Hammed (Anthony Okemmiri 61'), Ndifreke Effiong, Shedrack Asiegbu, (Uduak Idemokon 79'), Samson Obi.
Unused Substitutes: Joshua Enaholo, Mohammed Garba, Chisom Osuji, Atu Irumekai.
Yellow Cards: Ernest Governor (ENY); Agbor Ekoi, Chinedu Efugh, Ndifreke Effiong (ABI)
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