16th January, 2013
If the words coming out from the mouth of Vincent Enyeama are anything to go by, then football fans should expect to see the Super Eagles goal-keeper strip to his pants if Nigeria are victorious at the final whistle of the 18th Africa Cup of Nations billed to hold from 19 January to 10 February in South Africa.
Enyeama, who plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv, on loan from Lille OSC, said that the joy of his team’s victory at the tournament will propel him to go naked after the final match.
“It will be a dream come true and I am certain I will strip to my shorts. Yes, let everyone hear it that I will strip to my shorts if we are champions,” said the former Enyimba and Iwuanyanwu Nationale shot stopper.
The two time African champion said that his desire is to continue his football career till he reaches 40 years old.
“I aim to keep playing until am 40 years old. If possible I wish to play till I am 42. I work hard and I am focused. I know that if I do as little as I did today (he spoke to supersport.com after the Super Eagles’ victory over Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam) in more matches then I can easily play that long.”
Asked if the former Hapoel Tel Aviv goal tender was under pressure to deliver the trophy to Nigeria again since 1994, Enyeama said that he likes to take one match after the other.
“Personally, I do not think we are looking at the trophy for now. We want to win the first game, then the next and then the one after that,” said Enyeama.
The goal keeper, however, appeal to Nigerian fans not to refrain from supporting the team, adding that the team could turn out the winner in South Africa.
“Nigerians should have faith in us, believe the best of us and pray for us. It is not beyond our abilities to win the competition with God on our side” Enyeama concludes.
Enyeama has been very consistent since he became Nigeria’s undisputed first choice goal-keeper just after the 2002 World Cup in Japan/South Korea.
He was in the teams that played at the 2004 to 2010 tournaments where the country got to the semifinals in all but the ’08 tournament where incidentally, Austin Ejide was Berti Vogts first choice.
Enyeama regained his place after Vogts departure and was arguably Nigeria’s best player at the 2010 World Cup.