Atule strikes twice as Enyimba finally click in CAF Cup

JOHANNESBURG: Joseph Atule scored twice as Nigerian club Enyimba finally clicked in the CAF Confederation Cup by hammering Mozambican visitors Black Bulls 4-1 on Sunday.

The two-time African champions remain bottom of Group D despite the victory, but they are only one point behind second-placed Al Masry of Egypt with two matchdays remaining. Clubs finishing first and second in the four groups qualify for the knockout stage and Enyimba are hoping to become the first winners from Nigeria. Enyimba host Masry in southeastern city Uyo next Sunday, seeking to atone for a 2-0 loss in north Africa last November.

A string of poor domestic and African results, including a 3-0 loss away to Bulls last month, led Enyimba to change coaches, hiring veteran Stanley Eguma in place of Yemi Olarenwaju. Atule bagged the first and last goals of the match and Ifeanyi Ihemekwele and Brown Ideye also scored for Enyimba, who had netted just twice in five previous qualifying and group matches. Bulls´ goal also came from a Nigerian, with Ejaita Ifoni equalising before Ihemekwele gave the home team a 2-1 half-time lead in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.