Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has thanked ex-Ghana and Chelsea star Michael Essien for including him in his African Team of The Decade list, Completesports.com reports
On Monday, Essien unveiled his African eleven of The Decade which was published on BBC Sport.
Also Read: Former Super Eagles Stars, Coach Give Their Score Card On Nigerian Football In 2019
Other players who made Essien’s list alongside Enyeama are Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Kalidou Koulibaly, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sadio Mane.
Also on the list are Samuel Eto’o, Mohamed Salah, Medhi Benatia and Essien himself.
Reacting to his inclusion in a two minutes video clip on BBC World News, Focus on Africa, Enyeama said: “I lack words to express what I feel about being in your team, coming from a great player like you, Michael.
“Coming from this great star, one of Ghana’s best players of all time, I’m honoured, I feel great, it means the world to me.”
Enyeama added: “There’ve been great goalkeepers (Idris) Kameni, the guy from Egypt (Essam El Hadary), he was at the World Cup, there’s the guy from Uganda (Denis Onyango), there’s your countryman (Richard) Kingston, all these people and you choose me? It means a lot, I really appreciate, I’m honoured to be in your team.”
Enyeama was a key member of the Super Eagles squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
He kept goal for the Eagles at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
Also, he was in goal during the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup held in Brazil.
By James Agberebi
3 Comments
VINCENT ENYEAMA, THE AKWA IBOM NINJA. Cat like reflexes, indomitable spirit. I recall our 2010 world cup game with Argentina. It became a personal battle between Enyeama and Messi, as Messi was his usual self, hunting for goals. But Enyeama refused to cooperate. Save after mind boggling save, Enyeama stood between Argentina and more goals. Though we lost that game to a lone goal by Gabriel Heinze, we definitely were not disgraced, thanks largely to Enyeama. After the game, I saw Messi talking with Enyeama. The mutual respect and admiration between the two players was obvious.
Enyeama had a long and adventure-filled career with the Super Eagles. I’m still unhappy with his unceremonious exit from the team. A legend like this should not be discarded just because he is no longer deemed useful. Anyway, Super Eagles fans all over the world will never forget Enyeama. One of the greatest players to ever come out of Nigeria. Without a shadow of a doubt.
Enyeama u r a great keeper since u left your vacuum is yet to be occupied, a king is never honoured at home, am not surprised this accolade is coming from a Ghanaian. More power to your elbow!
Essien himself wishes Enyeama were a Ghanaian, their team would have been very formidable and hard to beat with their power play style and never say die black star attitude even though the Afcon have eluded them for 38 years, he still chooses to celebrate a legendary keeper of Enyeama Caliber and the “Akwa Ibom Ninja” like he was rightly called @Pompei really deserves his place on the Africa Eleven of the decade what a shame to NFF that doesn’t celebrate our Legend truth be told Enyeama was not just a goal tender but a solid shot stopper of all time, we appreciate the brotherly gesture Mr. Micheal Essien “Yeda wase pee charlie”