Ten-man Enyimba dominated proceedings, but could not find the breakthrough, drawing 0-0 against Akwa United on Sunday.
The two-time African champions were forced to play the entirety of the second half a man light, following the sending-off of goalkeeper Fatau Dauda five minutes before the break.
The Ghana international was one of a number of returnees to the team, with Isiaka Oladuntoye also returning after serving a three-game ban.
In a game which started slowly, it was the visiting goalkeeper who was first called into action, as both Joseph Osadiaye and Chinonso Okonkwo tested him from free-kick situations. Ibrahim Mustapha then headed over an inviting cross, before the game's entire dynamic changed.
Ifeanyi Ede called Dauda into a smart low save, but from the ensuing corner, the former Enyimba man seemed to get into an altercation with the goalkeeper, and went down off the ball. After consultations, the referee produced a red card to reduce Enyimba to 10 men.
This saw reserve Theophilus Afelokhai make his first league appearance of the campaign, but he had precious little to do, as the People’s Elephant came out fired up after the break.
Ifeanyi Anaemena had the ball in the net 10 minutes after the break, but was adjudged to have handled the ball, then Mustapha passed up a chance to score after Shagari flapped at a cross.
However, the best chance fell to Abdulrahman Bashir. The striker was out through one-on-one with the goalkeeper by Mustapha's deft flick, but improbably poked his finish over the top.
The visitors then might have stolen the points late on, as substitute Daniel Ekpo's shot, from the edge of the area, came back off the crossbar and ricocheted off Afelokhai to safety.
FINAL: Enyimba 0-0 Akwa United
Enyimba Starting XI: Fatau Dauda, Andrew Abalogu, Nasiru Sani, Tofic Omar, Ifeanyi Anaemena, Isiaka Oladuntoye, Abdulrahman Bashir, Ibrahim Mustapha (Gabriel Orok 90'), Chinonso Okonkwo (Freedom Omofoman 48'), Austin Oladapo, Joseph Osadiaye (Theophilus Afelokhai 45')
Unused Substitutes: Ernest Governor, Chinedu Udeagha, Dare Ojo, Leonard Ugochukwu.
Akwa United Starting XI: Ismaila Shagari, Etim Matthew, Gabriel Wassa (Daniel Ekpo 85'), Kelly Kester, Denis Nya, Godspower Igudia, Jamiu Alimi, Michael Ibe, Haggai Katoh (Victor Mbaoma 71'), Cyril Olisema, Ifeanyi Ede.
Unused Substitutes: Emmanuel Iwu, Otobong Effiong, Ayobami Asekunowo, Christopher Lolo, Gabriel Okechukwu.
Yellow card(s): Tofic Omar, Ibrahim Mustapha, Ifeanyi Anaemena (ENY); Ismaila Shagari, Etim Matthew, Kelly Kester, Victor Mbaoma (AKW)
Red card(s): Fatau Dauda
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