Akwa United Football Club marked their return to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, with a 3-1 victory over Enyimba International in a Nigeria Premier Football League matchday 23 fixture on Monday.
Akwa United began the game well, with left-back David Phillip tapping home a cross from inside the opposition area to put the hosts ahead within six minutes of play.
Six minutes into the second half, Akwa United scored again as Sani Suleiman was picked out by a neat through ball and rounded the on-rushing Ojo Olorunleke before slotting into the empty net.
Enyimba pulled a goal back in the 75th minute when goalkeeper Jean Efala was adjudged to have brought down Enyimba forward Chijioke Mbaoma inside the penalty area.
Mbaoma stepped up and calmly fired past Efala to set up a tense finale.
Despite attempts by the defending champions to find an equalizer, Akwa United held firm and added a third goal deep into stoppage time.
Enterprising forward Suleiman completed his brace in stoppage time to seal a 3-1 victory for the home side.
Elsewhere, Daniel Ijeh scored the decisive goal as Abia Warriors defeated Kano Pillars 1-0 at the Sani Abacha stadium in Kano.
In another encounter, Doma United and Sporting Lagos battled to a goalless draw at the Pantami stadium in Gombe.