As Nigeria claimed their third Africa Cup of Nations title, it seems only fitting that this week's World Player of the Week should be a star of the country's own Premier League: Warri Wolves' Sunday Mba.
After scoring the winning goal against pre-tournament favourites Cote d'Ivoire last week, the 24-year-old continued his form as the Super Eagles soared to glory in South Africa. After a superb peformance in the semi-final demolition of Mali, Mba stepped up with the all-important strike in Sunday's showpiece final, lifting the ball over the Burkina Faso defence before volleying superbly into the bottom corner.
The goal earned Nigeria an impressive triumph at the 2013 tournament, as well as a place in the Confederations Cup later this year- an achievement made all the more remarkable when you consider that Mba, along with five other players, still ply their trade in the local league.
Lolade Adewuyi, chief editor of Goal.com Nigeria , had this to say on a memorable week for the player:
"Sunday Mba has become famous for scoring key goals on Sundays. The 24-year-old Warri Wolves star scored the winning goal for Nigeria in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final triumph over Burkina Faso on Sunday; earlier, he scored the winning goal in the Super Eagles' 2-1 defeat of pre-tournament favourites Cote D'Ivoire.
"Not known much before this tournament, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi's decision to include six players from the local league in hisAfcon team has thrown up a new class of starplayers, and Mba surely tops their ranks.
"The Afcon trophy is just reward for a player who has worked really hard to be where he is at the moment. Mba's career is expected to soar with the confidence earned from this conquest."