Akwa United Football club of Uyo were 1-0 winners over Lobi Stars of Makurdi in their first game of the Presidential invitational tournament.
Akwa United returnee Ezekiel Bassey scored the only goal of the night after the goalkeeper had parried the ball into his path following a fine free kick from James Ajako.
The Promise Keepers protected their lead until the referee blew his final whistle.
Coach Kennedy Boboye named a strong starting XI including some new faces in the side.
Six of the starters in the game also started their last game at the Godswill Akpabio International when Akwa United were crowned 2020/2021 NPFL Champions.
Adewala Adeyinka, Etboy Akpan, Dare Ojo, Sampson Gbadegbo, Ubong Friday and Seth Mayi started from were they stopped last season.
Dennis Nya who returned from a loan spell at Kano Pillars paired with Gbadegbo at the heart of the defence as Ezekiel Bassey who is now having his third spell at the club also started.
Former Dakkada striker Utibe Archibong, Chukwude Stephen and James Ajako were also in the first XI.
The Uyo-based side will face Sunshine Stars tand Kano Pillars before they return to Uyo and shine their boots for their opening NPFL game on December 17.
