The Elephants suffered a painful 2-1 defeat to the hosts at the Bako Kontagora Stadium on Sunday after Olalususi Michael struck a late winner to settle a fiercely contested encounter.
The hosts started brightly, throwing men forward in search of an early breakthrough and putting the Elephants under sustained pressure.
However, goalkeeper Utum Godswill stood tall between the posts, producing a string of important saves to keep his side in the contest.
The Elephants gradually grew into the game and created their own opportunities.
James Johna came close to opening the scoring after breaking down the right flank, but his effort was parried away by Derrick Julu in the hosts’ goal.
The hosts eventually found the breakthrough in the 38th minute after Chibueze was adjudged to have committed a foul inside the box.
Aliyu Goyi made no mistake from the spot, sending Godswill the wrong way to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The Elephants returned from the break with renewed purpose, pushing the hosts deep into their own half as they searched for a way back into the game.
Their persistence finally paid off in the 72nd minute.
Substitute Wonah Williams rose highest inside the box to meet a perfectly delivered free-kick from Iheme Peculiar, powering his header beyond Julu to restore parity and set up a tense finish.
With both sides pushing for the decisive goal, chances came at either end. But it was the hosts who landed the final blow seven minutes from time.
The winning goal came in controversial circumstances after Samuel Okechukwu appeared to have been fouled, but play continued.
The hosts capitalised on the situation, with Olalususi Michael finding the back of the net in the 83rd minute to restore their lead.
The Elephants threw everything forward in the closing stages, piling pressure on the hosts in a desperate search for another equaliser.
Despite their late push, they could not find a way through as the hosts held on for all three points.
Attention now turns to the next challenge, with the Elephants set to travel to face Doma United on Sunday as they look to bounce back from the disappointing defeat.
