Nigerian champions Enyimba fell to a 1-0 defeat against Rivers United in the opening game of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Premier League season.
Paul Aigbogun's men were the more dangerous side in the first forty-five but a well taken free-kick by Obomate Fredrick just after the hour mark handed the Aba giants a bitter loss.
But Enyimba's Ezekiel Bassey could have gotten the team right back into it minutes later when he found himself unmarked in the box and reacted quickest to a loose ball but Sunday Rotimi did well to punch it wide.
It wasn't the only time Rotimi had been called into action to deny Enyimba. His quick reflexes had stopped Peter Onyekachi and Stephen Chukwude in the first half and late on, he denied Chinedu Udoji what had seemed a certain equalizer after the captain connected powerfully with Ugwu Uwadiegwu's corner-kick.
The Elephants will rue their missed opportunities while newly created team Rivers United will be left with great delight, after securing victory in their first competitive game.