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By Johnny Edward.
Today makes it exactly 10 years since the Super Eagles won their third Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso at Soccer City in South Africa, thanks to a superb late first-half goal from midfielder Sunday Mba.
It was a result that took winning coach Stephen Keshi into the record books as he equaled late Egyptian Mahmoud El Gohary as the only two people to win the AFCON as player and coach.
The 2013 AFCON winning squad had some of the country’s best players, including Joseph Yobo, Vincent Enyeama, Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Ike Uche, Brown Ideye, Elderson Echiejile among others.
Football fans who followed that tournament closely will not forget the name Sunday Mba.
The Eagles had a slow start at the tournament, with their opening two games against Burkina Faso and Zambia ending in 1-1 stalemate. Midfielder Mba, who came to life in the quarter-final game against Ivory Coast, where the Eagles, against the odds, recorded a famous 2-1 victory over the Ivoirians. Mba grabbed the winner after striker Emmanuel Emenike’s first half effort was cancelled out by Cheik Tiote in the 50th minute.
Mba, then home-based, again weaved the magic, scoring the winning goal in the final against the Burkinabe, following a sumptuous drive from the midfield, to hand Nigeria a third AFCON triumph, following earlier victories on home soil in 1980 and in 1994 in Tunisia.
Looking back at the events of that final in Johannesburg, Mba still revels in the glorious moment.
“The feeling can’t leave me; anytime I remember it still flashes through my mind,” Mba said.
“It’s a feeling I will never forget in my life.”
Left-back Elderson Echiejile scored a goal in the semi-final as the Eagles beat Mali 4-1 to reach the AFCON final in Johannesburg.
Ten years later, the retired defender says the victory seems like yesterday.
“The feeling is awesome and it is something that will remain with me forever,” he told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“No title compares to the one you win with your national team. That etches your name in the folklore of your countrymen. I feel honoured winning it.”
Midfielder Ejike Uzoenyi believes the 2013 AFCON triumph was a turning point for him and other members of the squad.
Uzoenyi only managed 18 minutes in the competition, coming on for striker Brown Ideye in the 72nd minute of the 4-1 semi-final triumph over Mali.
“It’s an unforgettable experience for me because it opened so many doors for me and my teammates at that time,” he said.
“Nobody gave us a chance after our poor start but we found our confidence and went all the way.”