On June 12, 2002, football fans at the Nagai Stadium were taken aback
they watched in disbelief as a relatively unknown 19-year-old
goalkeeper made a series of mind-blowing saves against the Three Lions
of England. Little did they know, this young man was announcing his
arrival as a net-minder extraordinaire. Vincent Enyeama's brilliant save
from a lightening goal-bound Paul Scholes missile even drew applause
from David Seaman in the opposing goal.
While in service, Peter Rufai, fondly called ‘Dodo Mayana’, was the
hero for young, upcoming Nigerian prospects including his successor.
Enyeama even took things a step further, emulating his hero's hair cut
which many believed was the untold secret of his mind-blowing heroics in
between the goal post.
