CAF CC: Enyimba coach Stanley Eguma describes win over Black Bulls as New Year gift

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The head coach of Enyimba FC has described Sunday’s 4-1 win over Black Bulls as New Year gift to Nigerians.

Enyimba FC delivered a commanding performance to secure their first CAF Confederation Cup group stage victory in style, thrashing Mozambique’s Associação Black Blulls FC 4-1 in an electrifying clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Reflecting on the match, head coach, Stanley Eguma, who recently took over the reins, described the victory as a significant morale boost for the team and a gift to Nigerian football fans.

“I will say that this result is like a New Year gift to Nigerians because Nigerians have been yearning for this kind of result in the continent,” Eguma said in his post-match press conference.

Eguma admitted that he faced challenges upon taking charge but emphasized the importance of building a winning mentality within the squad.

“Actually, when I joined the team a few days ago, what I met on ground, I wasn’t comfortable. I’ve been in the continent and I know what it takes to compete here. I spoke with the management and told them a lot needed to be done. Some key players were injured, but it didn’t perturb me. I had to work with the ones available.”

The coach also hailed Ideye’s impact, even as the striker works towards full-match fitness.

“Brown Ideye, we all know him as a household name. His presence is a big plus to the team. He might not be fully fit because he just joined the team, but it’s a gradual process. Shortly, he will add more to the team.”

The former Rivers United gaffer praised the team’s ability to adapt despite missing several key players, including holding midfielder Daniel Daga, who is on his way to Europe.

“We had to improvise at the holding midfield position due to injuries, and Daga’s absence. We used Innocent Gabriel, a center-back, and he delivered. Today, we’ve been able to raise the pace and change to a winning mentality.

The victory propels Enyimba back into contention in Group D, with their next challenge being a rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match against Nasarawa United in Aba on Wednesday.

They will then return to Uyo to host Egypt’s Al Masry in a must-win clash on Sunday in the CAF Confederation Cup.

After that, the People’s Elephant will finalize their CAF Confederation Cup group campaign away at Zamalek in Egypt.