The newly-promoted side defeated their more illustrious neighbors courtesy of a first-half goal by Cletus Itodo.

Itodo stunned his old employers when he scored in the 35th minute of the game, after driving through Enyimba's defence, before releasing a pile driver which beat Chijioke Ejiogu.

Ifeanyi Ede and Emeka Nwanna had earlier missed good chances to put Enyimba ahead in the 10th and 26th minutes respectively, while former Enyimba striker Bishop Onyeudo continually troubled Enyimba's defence.

Enyimba were offered a chance to level the scores from a freekick outside the box, when Abia's goalkeeper Joseph Onuoha played himself into trouble by handling the ball outside the box. The resulting free-kick from Ede was however deflected wide off target.

Two minutes later, Enyimba's Emmanuel Anyanwu sent in a screamer from 35-yards which came barely breezed past Abia's goal.

Upon resumption of the second half, Enyimba asserted their dominance against the visitors, but it counted for nothing as the resilient Warriors held unto their lead to until the blast of the final whistle.

LINE-UPS:
Enyimba: Ejiogu; Esieme, Ojobo, Aliyu, Udoji (c), E.Anyanwu, Ede, Sokari, Nwanna, Saka, Abalogu
Abia Warriors: Onuoha; O. Okoro, N. Onyekachi, Salami, Uluoma, Sowemimo, M. Okoro, Itodo, Onyeudo, Onyeali, P. Onyekachi

SOURCE: "KICKOFFNIGERIA: