Midfielder Ejike Uzoenyi says the 2013 AFCON triumph was a turning point for him and his teammates. Although he was only a home‑based player in Stephen Keshi’s squad and made a cameo appearance at the tournament, the victory opened a new chapter in his career.
Uzoenyi had already won two NPFL titles with Enyimba before joining Enugu Rangers in 2008. While with the Flying Antelopes, he earned a call‑up from Keshi for the AFCON in South Africa. He played just 18 minutes in the competition, coming on for striker Brown Ideye in the 72nd minute of the 4‑1 semi‑final win over Mali. “It’s an unforgettable experience for me because it opened so many doors for me and my teammates at that time,” he recalled. “Nobody gave us a chance after our poor start, but we found our confidence and went all the way.”
Indeed, the tournament unlocked new opportunities for Uzoenyi. He went on loan to French side Rennes immediately after the AFCON, later moved to South African clubs Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits, and starred for Nigeria’s team that finished third at the CHAN tournament a year later.
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