AFCON 2013: Super Eagles Player Profile – Sunday Mba

By Arinze Ude  

The Aba-born midfielder was one of the two home-based players in Keshi’s starting eleven. He was born on November 28th 1988 and is a graduate of the famed Pepsi Academy. He burst onto the Nigerian football scene as a 17-year old for Enyimba of Aba and has gone on to play in Enugu and Warri for Enugu Rangers and Warri Wolves respectively. He was a member of the Nigeria B team that won the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup. He made his senior debut in the Eagles’ 0-0 tie against Angola in January 2012. He scored a brace against Liberia in his next game. He was called up to Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and made his way into the starting eleven when fellow midfielder, Fegor Ogude was suspended for the mouth watering Quarter-final clash against pre-tournament favourites, Ivory Coast. He grabbed this opportunity with both hands, scoring the winning goal in that encounter when his shot deflected off Ivorian defender, Bamba and flew past Barry in Ivorian goal. His performance earned him the Man-of-the-match award and also helped him cement a place in Super Eagles midfield. His match defining goal scoring abilities showed up on Sunday when he scored the lone goal in the Nigeria- Burkina Faso final match that won Nigeria the 2013 AFCON trophy.