Stephen Chukwude’s 81st minute goal earned defending champions, Enyimba of Aba, a 1-0 away win at Heartland of Owerri in a weekend of intense rivalry featuring Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs from the South-East.

The match at the Dan Anyiam Stadium was heading to a draw until Chukwude popped up with the goal that condemned debuting Coach Kennedy Boboye his first loss as Heartland’s manager.

In yesterday’s other game, hard fighting Doma United held Remo Stars to a goalless draw in Ikenne to continue their strong start to the season.

The Heartland versus Enyimba game was the first to be broadcast live by StarTimes this weekend, with today’s game between Abia Warriors and Enugu Rangers concluding the oriental battle for supremacy on the broadcast rights holders’ Beta Sports Channel.

Every weekend, the Southeast is filled with lively celebrations and merriments. The oriental derby, a name that captures the essence of the matches, are expected to make the merriments in the region, dominated by Igbos, even more exciting and enthusiastic.

Today, Beta Sports Channel will air another interesting encounter between Abia Warriors and Enugu Rangers at 4.00 p.m.

Speaking on the live broadcast of games, which his company recently signed with the Nigerian Premier League Board, StarTimes Nigeria PR Manager, Lazarus Ibeabuchi, said: “StarTimes subscribers can watch these exciting matches live on Beta Sports channel, Channel 244, with an option to pay per day at N400 on Classic, or N500 on Special bouquets.”