AFCON 2025
Vincent Enyeama, widely regarded as one of Africa’s greatest-ever goalkeepers, celebrates his 44th birthday today. Born August 29, 1982, he leaves behind a legacy that spans club football, continental glory and a rare Champions League distinction.
That distinction came in 2010, when Enyeama converted a penalty for Hapoel Tel Aviv against Lyon, becoming only the third goalkeeper in Champions League history to score, after Hans-Jörg Butt and Sinan Bolat. He remains, to this day, the only African goalkeeper to have ever found the net in the competition.
Before his European move, Enyeama made his name at Enyimba, winning the CAF Champions League back-to-back, before a five-year spell at Lille in France cemented his reputation as one of Ligue 1’s most reliable shot-stoppers.
At international level, he represented Nigeria’s Super Eagles rom 2002 to 2015, captaining the Super Eagles from 2013 until his retirement and standing out as one of the country’s most decorated goalkeepers.
As he turns 44, Enyeama’s place in history remains secure as the only African, and third goalkeeper overall, to have scored in the Champions League.
