Posted by Kickoff.com on
Nigeria's hero in their thrilling quarterfinal victory over Tunisia, Vincent Enyeama has said there is no big deal in stopping spot kicks.
Nigeria's hero in their thrilling quarterfinal victory over Tunisia, Vincent Enyeama has said there is no big deal in stopping spot kicks.
'I've been called all sort of names in the media but to be honest, that really spurred me," the Bnei Yehuda of Israel star told KICK OFF.
'God has been my strength and I'm happy that the coach had faith in me and gave me the opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong."
The player who was reacting for the first time is however grateful to his team mates who stood and inspired him from the centre circle.
'I'm nothing without God and my team mates who stood by me," he said.
'I can only imagine what was going through the minds of critics and cynics during the shoot-out.
'With the last African Cup of Nations in mind, I knew I was up against several odds but saving penalty for me was no big deal."
Aside saving a spot kick from Jose Clayton in the first half of the game, Enyeama saved from Adel Chedli, Slim Ben Achour and Riadh Bouazizi as Nigeria won a penalty shoot-out 6-5 after a dramatic African Cup of Nations quarter-final tie against defending champions Tunisia.
The former Enyimba goalkeeper had already scored a penalty himself before diving low to his left to save from Bouazizi and win the first sudden death shoot-out of the competition.
By Oluwashina Okeleji in Port Said, Egypt