Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is relieved he has finally made it to his first major final as an international. And he is desperate to lead the Eagles to their first African title since 1994.

The Maccabi Tel-Aviv keeper has been a regular in the Super Eagles since making a spectacular debut at the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup in a group game against England.

But he and his teammates fell at the semi-final stage of AFCON in 2004 and 2006 and 2010, when he was first choice, and at the quarter-final stage in 2008 when he was second choice behind Austin Ejide.

Although Enyeama played in two CAF Champions League finals with Enyimba and won both, he is excited to be in his first with the national team.

“It’s amazing that I’ll be playing in my first Africa Cup of Nations final after so long,” Enyeama told Complete Sports in Durban.  “We have a great group of players and it’s fantastic that we’re going to the final together. We hope we continue what we’ve been doing and return home with the cup.”

Enyeama, who is on-loan at Maccabi from Lille, however, insists that he has no regrets that it has taken so long to reach his first final.

He said: “That’s how God wants it to be. I don’t regret all those tournaments where we didn’t get to the final. They all gave me great experiences and I’m glad I’m still around to play in Sunday’s final.”

The former Enyimba goalkeeper has been outstanding in South Africa and is expected to retain his place on Sunday, along with the captain’s band in the absence of team captain Joseph Yobo.

“I really pray that God will help us win this one,” he added. “Nigeria has not won it for a very long time, so it’s my wish and my dream to make it happen.”