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Tag: Enyeama

  • Enyeama puts birthday bash on hold

    Enyeama puts birthday bash on hold

    Super Eagles’ number one goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has said to supersport.com that he would have to celebrate his birthday after a victory against the Flames of Malawi in the 2014 World Cup qualifier in Calabar on Saturday.

    Enyeama was born on August 29 1982 in Kaduna and he started his football career at defunct Ibom Stars.

    Enyeama, who has been Nigeria’s first-choice since making his debut against England at the Korea/Japan World Cup in 2002, deliberately shelved his birthday celebration aside to focus on the crucial qualifier against Malawi.

    “We have come a long way and anything short of victory against Malawi would not be good enough considering our status in Africa,” he said.

    The former Enyimba shot-stopper stressed that even though his birthday remains one of the milestones in his career, but for the Eagles game against Malawi, he had to defer it until victory is sealed.

    “Saturday will be the best day for me to celebrate my birthday after the Eagles must have demolished Malawi and we would have to put smiles on the faces of all Nigerians. Honestly, the tension that the game has already generated has further placed the task of beating the Malawians a must for us,” the Lille goalkeeper said.

    Enyeama was restored to the Nigeria squad by Stephen Keshi after he was excused from the Nelson Mandela challenge which took place in Durban last month.

    Nigeria currently lead Group F of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying in the Africa zone with nine points from five matches.

    The first leg between Nigeria and Malawi on June 12, 2012 in Blantyre ended in a 1-1 draw.

  • Enyeama, Onazi promise victory against Malawi

    Enyeama, Onazi promise victory against Malawi

    Super Eagles stand in skipper, Vincent Enyeama, was in a jolly mood as the team held its media parley with the national team yesterday morning, declaring that he was not in competition with any of the goalies for the number one shirt of the national team.

    Enyeama also gave a hint that sooner than later he will quit the Super Eagles, even as Lazio of Italy midfield youngster, Ogenyi Onazi assured that the team will come out clean against Malawi on Saturday.

    Enyeama, who spoke first, told the media that the three goalkeepers in the national team, himself, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim are in the form of their lives and any of them will man the post well if chosen by the national team handlers. “All of us are good and I must say I am not in competition with any of them neither are they with me. Nigeria is blessed with great talents and it’s always good when you are called up to play”.

    Onazi on his part said he and his teammates are fired up for Saturday’s game and assured that the team will not disappoint despite the furore that has been generated ahead of the encounter.

    The team trained under rainfall yesterday at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, Nigeria’s preferred tourism destination with Sports Commissioner, Patrick Ugbe monitoring proceedings.

    Keshi said during training that whether it rains or not, the team was ready for the battle against Malawi, declaring the focus is not only to win against Malwai but to get to the World Cup Championship in Brazil next year.

    The heavy rains prevented some of the players from coming for the evening training.

  • EAGLES BONUS ROW PANEL FALLOUT: Nobody contacted me-Enyeama

    EAGLES BONUS ROW PANEL FALLOUT: Nobody contacted me-Enyeama

    • Says, I don’t know what is happening 

    Super Eagles stand-in Captain, Vincent Enyeama has affirmed that he was never contacted by the bonus row panel headed by Segun Adeniyi that allegedly indicted the Lille shot-stopper and some others senior squad members over their role after Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Namibia’s Brave Warriors in a 2014 World Cup qualifying match in Windhoek.

    Enyeama told SportingLife during Wednesday’s media parley at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar that he was surprised to read some of the comments credited to him by the panel, even as he maintained that he was never invited to the sittings.

    “I never got any invitation from anybody. I will say it now. I have only seen that in the press. I never got a letter of invitation and I never got a phone call to that effect.

    “Nobody has contacted me and nobody has said anything to me. I only read all these things on the pages of newspapers. I don’t know what is really happening and that is the truth.

    “I wonder where all that is coming from,” he queried, even as he insists he prefers to focus on Saturday’s game against Malawi’s Flames.

    On the way forward in resolving the bonus row saga, Enyeama stressed: “Nobody has talked to us and so we don’t even know. We are only reading it in the newspapers. Nobody has told us that our bonus has being reduced and nobody has told us our bonus has been increased. Nobody has told us anything. I personally do not want to jump into any conclusion over things,” he cautioned. The Eagles, it would be recalled, allegedly refused to collect the slashed win bonus of $7,500 each for the win against the Harambee Stars of Kenya and the draw in Namibia after the 2014 World Cup qualifying match. Instead the players allegedly demanded for the full payment of $15,000 which was the payment done before the new order from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on the emolument of the Eagles by half.

  • Enyeama reveals: Eagles still missing Yobo

    Enyeama reveals: Eagles still missing Yobo

    Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama says captain Joseph Yobo is still badly missed in the Super Eagles set-up, as the team get set to host Malawi in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

    Yobo, Nigeria’s most capped player, has not played for the Super Eagles since the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations last February in South Africa. And Enyeama, who takes honour in deputising Yobo says the Fenerbahce back man is still being missed in the camp of the team.

    “It’s a big honour to wear the (captain’s arm) band for this country. It’s also an honour to stand in place of Yobo. He is a great guy and an amazing person. He’s a great human being,” Enyeama told supersport.com.

    The Lille Metropole goalkeeper then expressed sadness at Yobo’s absence from the squad that will face Malawi on Saturday.

    “I wish Yobo was here in Calabar, unfortunately, he’s not. It’s up to the coach to decide who comes to the camp and who does not but I really wish he was here. However, it’s an honour for me to captain this great side,” Enyeama said.

    The game will be played at the U.J Esuene stadium with Nigeria needing only a draw to advance to the final stage of Africa qualifier.

  • Nigeria No.1 SHIRT: Enyeama:

    Nigeria No.1 SHIRT: Enyeama:

    Eagles can’t rely on me alone
    •Says no competition with Ejide, Agbim, others

    Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama insists he is not under pressure to keep the team’s No. 1 shirt ahead of Nigeria’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Flames of Malawi on Saturday at the U.J.Esuene Stadium Calabar.

    The Lille of France shot-stopper told SportingLife during Wednesday’s media parley at the team’s Transcorp Hotel Calabar that he is privileged to be chosen to be the No 1 by the technical crew, stressing that he is not competing with other goalkeepers.

    ‘’I’ve always said it that I am not under any pressure to keep the No 1 position and there was never a competition for Eagles number one position. This is my opinion and I stand by it.

    ‘’Ejide is a good goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim is good too. Nigeria is blessed with so many talented players so the coach cannot rely on Vincent Enyeama alone to take care of all games. The coaches know the number of games I can play and those Ejide and Agbim will play too,’’ he said. Enyeama who has so far enjoyed four games in the French topflight with Lille remains grateful to Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistants.

    ‘‘I want to thank the coaching crew for believing in me for the opportunity given to me to be the number goalkeeper.

    ‘’ It is the decision of coaching crew to decide who will be on duty and I am grateful to them for believing in me,’’ Enyeama said. Speaking on his Eagles’ future, the Lille of France shot-stopper said: ‘I will leave the stage soon but there is no time frame,’’ he added jokingly amidst laughter.

     

  • Enyeama not tested in Lille’s draw

    Enyeama not tested in Lille’s draw

    Rennes and Lille played out a disappointing goalless draw in Saturday evening’s Ligue 1 encounter at the Stade de la Route de Lorient.

    Both sides headed into the game in good spirits having picked up six points from their opening three games, but neither could find the breakthrough.

    The hosts had the better of the first half but failed to test Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

    Turkey striker Mevlut Erdinc directed a low right-footed shot inches wide after being sent through by Sylvain Armand in the second minute.

    Wesley Said burst into the area seven minutes later from Romain Danze’s pass and drove in a right-footed shot which skimmed the post on its way out.

    Seven minutes before the break Danze released Erdinc, who controlled well and let fly from close range but fired wide.

    The visitors’ first noteworthy opportunity arrived two minutes before half-time, Ronny Rodelin’s shot fizzing just wide from Rio Mavuba’s neat assist.

    LOSC, tipped in some quarters as outside contenders for the title, were denied what looked a certain opening goal 10 minutes into the second half when Franck Beria’s cross found Rodelin and he connected with a fierce left-footed volley which was somehow kept out by Rennes keeper Benoit Costil.

    The home team were continuing to create chances of their own, though, and went close twice in the final quarter to grabbing all three points through Erdinc.

    First the former Sochaux and Paris St Germain forward’s volley from Nelson Oliveira’s set-up was saved by the wrist of Enyeama, and he then produced an overhead-kick at the far post from Julien Feret’s cross, but it flew just over the bar and the spoils were shared.

  • OPERATION CRUSH MALAWI: Mikel, Moses, Enyeama commited to Nigeria

    OPERATION CRUSH MALAWI: Mikel, Moses, Enyeama commited to Nigeria

     •Ready for the battle of Calabar

    Super Eagles trio of Vincent Enyeama, Mikel Obi and Victor Moses have pledged their loyalty to the country, and will remain very focused towards ensuring that the country’s flag is hoisted at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    Revealing this to Sportinglife on Monday, the Head Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi said he is constantly in touch with the players and they have vowed to put in their best to ensure that the team qualifies for the Mundial.

    The Big Boss said: “I spoke to Vincent Enyeama, Mikel Obi, and Victor Moses. They have all given their commitment to ensuring that we qualify for the World Cup. They promised to remain focused to the service of their fatherland and will put in everything to the remaining matches to ensure we get to the World Cup.”

    He also confirmed of speaking to other players who have vowed to crush the Flames of Malawi in Calabar.

     

     

  • Bonus row: Akpoborie backs Mikel, Enyeama

    Bonus row: Akpoborie backs Mikel, Enyeama

    Former Super Eagles forward Jonathan Akpoborie has backed the current squad on the fight against bonus cuts by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Trouble ensued when the Eagles initially refused to travel for the FIFA Confederations Cup held in Brazil from Windhoek after a 1-1 draw with Namibia as they demanded a $10,000 wining bonus while the NFF was only willing to pay half the amount.

    Three key members of the Super Eagles, John Obi Mikel, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide all failed to honour an invitation to state their case before the bonus row committee set up by Nigeria Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, and Akpoborie has defended the action of the players.

    “All government officials in Nigeria have increase in allowances. Even the on-going ASUU strike. Please pay the players what they deserve,” he wrote on his Twitter handle on Friday. “(Football is) The only thing that brings Nigerians together and we don’t want to pay for it. It’s shameful

    “When I played I got 5000 (dollars) as bonus. That was 13 years ago. The cost of living is not the same again please. If you abolish the Super Eagles draw bonus, automatically, you must double the winning bonus too,” he wrote.

    Nigeria will host Malawi in a 2014 World Cup qualifier on September 7 and a win will see the African Champions qualify to the final stage of the CAF qualifiers.

  • Enyeama reveals: I’ve always loved Lille

    Interviewed by the official website of Lille, Nigeria numero uno goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama, has commented on his return to France, his ambitions for the season and performance against Reims.

    ”I had a contract here. After the title, I had several options, but always moving, it is never easy for your family, your wife, your children, we must find a new school, a new doctor .And I’ve always loved Lille. So it was very difficult to say no to the proposal to stay here.

    ” If we can be on the podium this year with PSG, Monaco, Marseille, Lyon, it would be amazing. I do not know if it will happen but I know we will work hard for it,” said Enyeama to losc.fr.

    Last weekend, Lille lost their second match in the French championship to Reims, with Vincent Enyeama conceding two goals.

    ”The first was so quick, I I was embarrassed because I did not see the ball coming. But as for the second goal, I should have done better. I do not blame anyone.I always put in my best because I believe I can be the best in the world. When ever I commit errors, I say: Go Vincent, You should have done better. But the errors belong to the history books, we must move forward,” he stressed.

  • Maccabi offer Enyeama 3yrs deal

    Maccabi offer Enyeama 3yrs deal

    Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv have offered a three-year contract to Nigeria international Vincent Enyeama, informs one.co.il.

    Due to his lack of first team opportunities at French club Lille, the experienced goalkeeper spent last season on loan at Maccabi Tel Aviv, but had to return to his parent club when that agreement expired at the end of the campaign.

    A credible performance by Enyeama at the FIFA Confederations Cup means clubs are vying for his signature.

    It is known that newly promoted La Liga side Almeria are attempting to use their contacts in Israel to lure the Super Eagle to Spain.

    Maccabi Tel Aviv general manager Jordi Cruijff has an alternative plan in case Enyeama rejects their overtures .

    While Vincent Enyeama is thinking about the proposal from Maccabi Tel Aviv, the leadership is discussing with Cameroon goalie Carlos Kameni.