- Enyimba secured a commanding 4-1 victory over the Black Bulls in the CAF Confederation Cup
- Black Bulls equalised early, but defensive errors and Enyimba’s attacking prowess left them overwhelmed by full-time
- Joseph Atule redeemed earlier misses with two goals, while Ifeanyi Ihemelekwe’s stunning volley restored Enyimba’s lead before halftime
Nigeria’s football club Enyimba displayed a statement performance in the CAF Confederation Cup, overpowering Mozambican side Black Bulls with a resounding 4-1 victory at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Sunday, January 5.
The dominant display boosted their chances of progressing from the group stage, with former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye marking his debut goal for the club in style.
The “People’s Elephant” wasted no time asserting their dominance, opening the scoring in the 6th minute. Joseph Atule capitalised on a defensive error to fire Enyimba into an early lead.
However, the Black Bulls hit back almost immediately, taking advantage of a mix-up in Enyimba’s defence to equalize through Ejiata Ifoni in the 12th minute.
Despite controlling possession, Enyimba struggled to convert their dominance into goals. Elijah Akanni’s well-won free kick in the 25th minute was wasted, and Atule missed two clear chances before halftime. The breakthrough eventually came just before the interval, when Ifeanyi Ihemelekwe controlled a cross from Ukadike and rifled home a stunning volley to restore Enyimba’s lead.
The second half saw Enyimba shift into higher gear, maintaining pressure on Black Bulls. Atule remained lively but failed to capitalise on several opportunities until substitute Brown Ideye changed the game.
Coming on in the 60th minute, the former West Bromwich Albion striker made an instant impact, scoring six minutes later. Ideye latched onto Atule’s precise pass, rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted the ball calmly into the net, making it 3-1 and effectively ending the visitors’ resistance.
Atule redeemed his earlier misses by adding Enyimba’s fourth goal, sealing an emphatic victory for the Nigerian champions.
The win marked Ideye’s first goal since joining Enyimba in December 2024. The veteran striker celebrated the triumph by referencing the club’s iconic chant,
“Nzogbu! Nzogbu!! Enyimba Enyi!!” on social media, a nod to their unity and fighting spirit.
With this performance, Enyimba not only revitalised their CAF campaign but also sent a clear message of intent to their group-stage rivals.
Referee's decision causes chaos in NPFL showdown between Enyimba and Rangers
Previously, TheRadar reported that the Nigerian Professional Football League witnessed scenes of contention at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on June 9, 2024, when a late penalty decision caused a stir in the crucial match between league leaders Enugu Rangers and second-placed Enyimba of Aba.
The game was abruptly disrupted after the referee John Ojeleye awarded Rangers a penalty in the 99th minute, leading to an unexpected protest and walk-off by the Enyimba team.
