Hosts Sunshine Stars beat 10-man Enyimba 2-1 in a rescheduled Nigeria league game wednesday.
The home win has lifted ‘The Akure Gunners’ to 16th place on the table with 11 points from 10 matches.
Isiaka Oladuntoye headed Sunshine in front before Super Eagles defender, Chima Akas, equalised for Enyimba, all in the first half.
The home team then netted the match winner through Okiki Afolabi with an assist by Seun Olulayo on 84 minutes.
Enyimba were reduced to 10 men after Ifeanyi Anaemena got his second booking for a foul on Benjamin Francis. His first caution was in the 27th minute.
The NPFLchampions are due to defend a 3-0 home win at Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia next week as they aim to advance to the money-spinning group phase of the CAF Champions League.
In Makurdi, a brace by Abdulrahman Bashir and a goal by Aminu Kadir were enough for Nasarawa United to record only their second win of the Nigeria league season against Giwa in Makurdi wednesday.
Giwa consolation goal was by Aminu Mbai after half an hour.
Nasarawa stay rooted at 19th position with nine points from as many matches, while Giwa is 10th on 14 points.
Six minutes from time, Charles Henlong saw his goal-bound effort crash against the post as Giwa piled on the pressure to rescue the game.
