It took just a couple more minutes for the visitors to take the lead when a low cross from Makan Winkle Chote was turned in by Al Amnah in the 16th minute.

Abahani soon responded and they equalised just four minutes later when Sohel Rana’s cross was forced in by Nabib Newaz.

The home side then saw Chizoba’s shot well saved by Bhaskar Roy before the follow-up was cleared off the line.

Kervens Belfort found Chizoba after a surging run through the middle and the Nigerian made space for a shot but fired just over from 20 yards.

Minerva then regained the lead after a dreadful defensive error in the 42nd minute. A misplaced pass across the 18-yard line was seized upon by substitute Sreyas Gopalan who smashed the ball into the corner.

But early in the second half, the hosts equalised for a second time. Waly Faisal’s free-kick from the right came back off the bar and rebounded off a defender before Chizoba forced the ball home from a yard out.

Kalif Alhassan almost scored a spectacular third for Minerva but his long-range volley flashed wide.

Newaz came close to his second of the game when he curled an effort narrowly wide just after the hour mark.

With 14 minutes remaining, Gopalan’s header went just over and the visitors missed a better chance moments later when Amandeep Singh shot tamely wide from an excellent position.

Newaz then shot into the side-netting from close range and there was one final chance for the hosts but Belfort headed just over in the dying minutes.

Abahani face another Indian opponent when they travel to play Chennaiyin on April 30. Meanwhile, Minerva welcome Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi Club on May 1.