Enyimba, the eight-time Nigeria Professional Football League champions, started the 2022/23 shortened season with a 2-1 win over Nasarawa United at the Zaria Road Stadium, Jos.
Abubakar threatened with a shot that nearly missed the target in the first minute as the Elephants got the contest underway.
Nasarawa United had a rare opportunity in the 25th minute when Dennis Victor floated in a cross and Josiah Oche nodded down to Maigishiri, whose shot agonizingly missed the target.
Elijah Akanni scored an incredible goal from outside the box for Enyimba in the 32nd minute, looking to redeem themselves after a somewhat lacklustre effort last season.
Buoyed by the goal, the Finidi-George side doubled the lead six minutes later as Imoh Obot scored with a thunderous freekick that left the Nasarawa keeper, David Yinka stunned.
Fully in control of the game, Enyimba gave little or no space for their hosts to make any meaningful threat to their goal area but their resilience was tested as the game went in the second half.
In the 77th minute, Enyimba keeper, Ojo Olorunleke was finally tested as he pulled a top save to keep out a goal-bound freekick but he was finally breached after Nasarawa was awarded a penalty in the 87th minute.
Ojo had initially saved the penalty but the rebound was headed in by Oche Josiah.
The hosts, Nasarawa United pressured Enyimba in the closing stages but the Elephants defended well to repel everything thrown at them.
