Kofi Nti Boakye was the hero as FC Ifeanyiubah overcame bottom-placed Nasarawa United 1-0 in a Match Day Two rescheduled fixture in Nnewi on Wednesday evening.
The Ghanaian netted just after seven minutes to ensure no repeat of the visitors' last season heroics. The Solid Miners had en route to a continental ticket last season beaten their hosts in front of their fans. After a poor campaign on the continent this season, the side from Lafia were looking to get a poorly started season underway.
But FC Ifeanyiubah were more interested in bouncing back from the disappointment of the weekend where they lost 2-0 to Kano Pillars. They were quickly off the blocks and came close twice in the first five minutes. Ngoma Luamba saw his free kick sail over the crossbar before Nasarawa United goalkeeper Danlami Umar spilled a shot but no striker was lurking.
The home team would go ahead two minutes later as Suleiman Mohammed sent in a perfect cross into the area. Nti cleverly escaped his marker to fire beyond Umar. It was the striker's second league goal of the season.
The visitors attempted an immediate response but Abdulrahman Bashir's turn and strike flew harmlessly over Uche Okafor's goal. At the other end, Bright Onyedikachi and Suleiman Mohammed kept tormenting the visitors defence with their trickery and pace. Defenders Amos James and Gbadebo Samson who got outpaced at different times resorted to cynical challenges earning the referee's reprimand.
The visitors improved after the interval and could have levelled through Bashir but as he shaped to shoot, Elu neatly disposed him. Esosa Igbinoba came close through a free kick on the hour mark but he fired inches over the crossbar. Eugene Obi and Azango Philip would be introduced moments later as Nasarawa United kept knocking for an equalizer but the home team held firm.
A second goal nearly came for the hosts with five minutes left but an alert Danlami Umar pushed off Ngoma Luamba's goal bound effort.
Match details
FC Ifeanyiubah: Okafor, Elu, Adeleye, Agudosi, Edum, Thompson, Okereke, Ngoma, Nti, Suleiman, Onyedikachi
Subs: Olaide, Mbonu, Medrano, Abdulkareem, da Silva, Nwosu, Seka
Nasarawa United: Umar, Ojo Alamo, James, Lordson, Shittu, Gbadebo, Anyu, Esosa, Bashir, Achiv, Ilo
Subs: Danjuma, Makama, Manga, Obi, Shammah, Azango
