History Book: Day Vincent Enyeama lifted Referee to celebrate AFCON title win
As the 34th AFCON draws closer, SPORTSRATION looks into the HISTORY BOOK to share memory of how Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama tried to lift referee in celebration of the 2013 AFCON title win.
On that day, February 10, 2013 at the Soccer City in Johannesburg, Sunday Mba struck the only goal to hand Nigeria a 1-0 win.
The Nigerian team, managed by Late coach Stephen Keshi were out to end Nigeria’s AFCON title drought in South Africa.
At the expiration of regulation time, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was with the ball and so referee, Djamel Haïmoudi ran towards him, got the ball before signalling for full-time to hand Nigeria a third Africa Cup of Nations title.
The excited Vincent Enyeama who was close to the referee tried to life the match official in celebration but failed as the match official surpirisingly remained composed and so the then Lille goalie joined his teammates and team officials on the pitch for celebration.
On a latter day, Vincent Enyeama shared insights into his peculiar celebration with the referee.
Enyeama, who wore the Super Eagles captain band at the time, couldn’t contain his joy after the final whistle.
Recalling the memorable incident during an Instagram interview session with @ngsupereagles, Enyeama explained, “In 2013 after the AFCON final, I was next to the referee. He said to me, ‘Give me the ball.’ I was confused, I gave it to him, and then he blew the final whistle. I just lifted him up as he was the closest person to me. I did not even remember that this was the person I just gave the ball to, the referee. I was on a different planet, overjoyed.”
Enyeama expressed his immense joy at winning the Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria, the first time since 1994 and the last as the team heads to Ivory Coast for the 2013 and 34th edition.
