Nigerian newspapers Sunday hailed star goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for his role in the Super Eagles' qualification for the semi-finals of the 25th African Nations Cup in Egypt.

The Eagles defeated their Tunisian counterpart 6-5 on penalties after both teams ended regulation and extra time 1-1.

Enyeama, who is based in Israel, stopped one penalty during regulation play and three during the shootout to see the Eagles to their second consecutive semi-finals in the prestigious competition.

The goalkeeper had previously been regarded as incapable of stopping penalty kicks.

"Sweet revenge! Enyeama dethrones African champions" was the front-page headline in the Punch newspaper.

The Sunday Comet said in another front-page headline: "Enyeama leads Eagles to semi-finals".

"Hero! Enyeama sends Nigeria to semis (Vanguard)" and "Enyeama heroics help Nigeria into semi-final (Thisday)" were some of the other headlines.

The private Guardian reported that the goalkeeper was voted the Man of the Match by fans at the El Masry Stadium venue of the match, even though CAF's official Man of the Match was teenage star John Obi Mikel.

"Picking Enyeama as the Man of the Match, the fans said it was his solo effort within the regulation period and the penalty shootout that saved Nigeria," the newspaper reported.

President Olusegun Obasanjo Saturday sent a congratulatory message to the Super Eagles, whose victory triggered massive jubilation across soccer-crazy Nigeria.