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Tag: Enyeama

  • BEST GOALKEEPER IN FRANCE: Enyeama No.1 again

    BEST GOALKEEPER IN FRANCE: Enyeama No.1 again

    Nigeria international goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has been selected as the best shot stopper in Ligue 1 for 2014 by prestigious French Newspaper, L’Equipe.

    The 32-year-old was selected as the league’s best goalkeeper for 2014 despite Lille’s stuttering start to the 2014-15 season that sees them languishing in 13th place in the 20-team standings.

    Enyeama has played in every minute of Lille’s 56 league matches since he returned from his loan spell at Israeli club, Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2013.

    This is the second successive year that Enyeama has been selected as Ligue’s 1’s most outstanding goalkeeping talent by L’Equipe.

    Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu works with Enyeama in the Nigeria national team and he’s not surprised by the former Enyimba goalkeeper’s latest accolade.

    “From the first day I saw Vincent (Enyeama), I knew he was a star. Having worked with him, I can say for a fact that he’s the best in Africa and one of the best in the world,” Shorunmu told supersport.com.

  • Glo-CAF AWARD: Supporters Club roots for Enyeama

    Glo-CAF AWARD: Supporters Club roots for Enyeama

    President of Nigeria Football Supporters,  Rafiu Ladipo has called on Nigerians to register their votes for Super Eagles and LOSC Lille Metropole goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama to enable him win the forth coming Glo-CAF players award ceremony which holds in Lagos on January 8.

    Ladipo in his remark on Metrosport has showered praises on Globacom Telecommunication Company in Nigeria for its un-flinching efforts in sponsoring the event since eight years passed.

    “CAF award is a good thing in Africa, and the last eight years, it has been Glo sponsoring it, so we must thank them for being the sponsor of this programme which is helping football to develop in Africa. “

    “If at the end of every football season, a thing like this comes up, it is in a way to encourage players to perform better in the next season. Right now we have three nominees, and among them is a goal keeper. I think for new innovations and for encouragement, and to show that football is just a team event, Enyeama can be given the award. “

    The seasoned football administrator reflecting on the performance of Super Eagles of Nigeria in the year 2014 submitted that it was a woeful one and blamed the team for failing to prove their worth to the world by surpassing their second round exit stage in the history of the competition.

    Ladipo went further to express grief on the Super Eagles who were barred by ill-reputable African countries from parading themselves as African Champion in Equatorial Guinea – host of 2015 AFCON Championship.

    “We did not qualify to defend the title we won in 2013 in South Africa, and that is one thing that no one is happy about. If as African Champion, we are not going to defend the Championship, it is not good enough. Before now, we used to be in the range of thirties’ in the FIFA ranking, but right now we are 43rd in the latest ranking,that shows our football is nothing to write home about in the last year.

    “Going to the World Cup, we got to the second round, and that was the fete we achieved in 1994 and 1998 World Cup. But in Brazil 2014, Super Eagles had the chance to write it’s name in the good books of Nigerian sports by surpassing the second round stage, but they couldn’t, “ Ladipo criticised.

  • Enyeama’s Lille deny PSG top spot

    Enyeama’s Lille deny PSG top spot

    Vincent Enyeama and his Lille team mates denied Paris Saint-Germain a 10th consecutive win and top spot in Ligue 1 as they held the capital side to a 1-1 draw at Lille on Wednesday.

    Salvatore Sirigu’s error on 42 minutes proved costly for Laurent Blanc’s men, who had led through a 29th minute Edinson Cavani strike, as they stayed second and a point behind Marseille.

    PSG had won the previous nine matches in all competitions and, after a rocky start, were ahead 29 minutes against struggling Lille as Cavani finished Ezequiel Lavezzi’s dangerous cross from the left.

    The champions were unable to take that lead into the break, however, as Sirigu failed to deal with David Rozehnal’s header – clumsily fumbling the ball into his own net.

    With first place at stake following Marseille’s draw with Lorient on Tuesday, Blanc’s side could not find a winner in the absence of rested striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    In fact, Lille – whose winless run now stands at 11 games in all competitions – had opportunities to gain a surprise victory as they held firm to frustrate Blanc and pick up a deserved point.

    Despite their woeful recent form, the hosts had three opportunities to take the lead in the very first minute of the match.

    Sirigu’s terrific double save denied Divock Origi and then Nolan Roux before the ball broke loose to Florent Balmont, who could only hit the post.

  • Enyeama won’t take pay cut to move to EPL

    Enyeama won’t take pay cut to move to EPL

    Nigeria skipper Vincent Enyeama has said he will not take a pay cut or sit on the bench for him to move to the more glamorous English Premier League.

    Lille No.1 Enyeama, who has been top-choice goalkeeper for Nigeria since 2002, was recently linked with several EPL clubs before the stories were later dismissed.

    “I still have two more years left on my contract at Lille, but if I must move, it has to be something special, not for nothing,” he said in an interview.

    “I won’t take a pay cut or sit on the bench because I want to play in the EPL because I’m a winner, a competitor.”

    This year Enyeama has shone for both club and country as to be a leading nominee for Africa’s major awards.

    He was the major reason Nigeria reached the knockout rounds of Brazil 2014 for only the second time in their history.

  • Amuneke roots for Enyeama , Musa

    Amuneke roots for Enyeama , Musa

    Former African footballer of the year, Emmanuel Amuneke has thrown his weight behind Super Eagles duo of Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa as they bid to become the first Nigerians to win the CAF player of the Year Award since Nwankwo Kanu last won it 14 years ago.

    Both players were in superb form last season for their respective clubs and played key roles as Nigeria emerged champions of Africa in 2013. Enyeama had an awesome year at Lille of France last season as he kept an astonishing 21 clean sheets and had a fantastic 2014 FIFA World Cup.

    The 32-year-old unfortunately lost the BBC African player of the year title to Algerian forward Yacine Brahimi after they were both nominated alongside current CAF player of the year Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire), Perre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), and Gevinho (Cote d’Ivoire).

    Consequently, Enyeama’s teammate in the national team, Ahmed Musa was in flying form for CSKA Moscow last season and carried the form into the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where he shone brilliantly scoring two fantastic goals against Argentina in one of Nigeria’s group games and helping the Super Eagles qualify for the round of 16 but lost out to France in a keenly contested game.

    ‘I think it’s good for our football that Enyeama and Musa have been nominated for the award,’ Amuneke told SportingLife in an exclusive chat.

    ‘It shows that our players have performed well for the past year and also in the World Cup. I think both players were very outstanding at the World Cup and have been the backbone of the national team in recent times.’

    However, he warned that it won’t be an easy ride to the crown for both players as Manchester City star and current holder of the CAF player of the year title Yaya Toure is a huge favourite for the award but states that his heart lies with the Nigerian duo.

    ‘We must put it in mind that Yaya Toure is an outstanding player – if you look at the African continent today, you will agree that Yaya is absolutely a brilliant player so let’s see how it goes.

    ‘But on a patriotic side, I sincerely want Enyeama or Musa to win it which will serve as motivation for the younger generation of players,’ he opined.

    The former Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, and Zamalek winger advised both players to continue working hard because that’s the key to greater success.

    ‘Regardless of whether they win or not, I pray they continue to work hard because that is the only way to go. I won the African footballer of the year award even when I was not playing in Europe but when I was with Egyptian side Zamalek and all was through hardwork.

    ‘My philosophy of life is that no one is going to gift you anything except you work very hard then God will do the rest for you,’ he added.

    The Nigerian duo were nominated alongside Asamoah Gyan (Ghana & Al Ain), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), and Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast & Manchester City) and the list is expected to be pruned down to a final shortlist of three before the award ceremony in Lagos on January 8.

  • BBC African footballer 2014: Brahimi beats Enyeama

    BBC African footballer 2014: Brahimi beats Enyeama

    In spite of the publicity aimed at drumming supports to boost Vincent Enyeama’s chances of emerging as the BBC African Footballer of the Year, Algerian Yacine Brahimi defeated him and a couple of others to the title.

    Voting statistics revealed that the total number of votes submitted from fans across the 207 countries registered with FIFA, put Brahimi on top of the list, beating Nigeria’s number 1, Enyeama, Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ivorian pair Gervinho.

    Interestingly, Brahimi also beat Yaya Toure, the Ivorian midfielder, to grab the title owing to the Algerian star’s performance at the last World Cup in Brazil.

    No doubt, his emergence as BBC Footballer of the Year is an indication that fans recognised his outstanding efforts in Brazil 2014, which saw his country through to the round of 16 for the first time and also scoring his first international goal in the 4-2 defeat of South Korea at the group stage.

    Perhaps, if Enyeama had emerged as winner, he would have become the second Nigerian after Austin J.J Okocha, who won the BBC title both in 2003 and 2004 consecutively.

    Brahimi, 24-year old FC Porto star was announced as  the 2014 winner of the title on Monday, making him the first winner from Algeria.

    Speaking with BBC Sport, Brahimi expressed his joy saying: “It’s a big honour for me to receive this wonderful trophy. I owe it to my country, Algeria, and to all the people who voted for me. It’s also a trophy for the whole of Africa, because it rewards an African player. So I am really very happy.”

    Thrilled to have been enthusiastically applauded as the best player on the continent for this past year, Brahimi said: “First I won the award because of the people who voted for me. So once again I need to thank them.

    “Then it’s thanks for FC Porto – they allowed me to play in the Champions League, to play in big games and to have great performances. The club has allowed me to express myself and to perform well on the pitch.

    “This trophy is going to give me more strength, more desire to work, to get better, to learn so that I can keep having great performances”.

    Furthermore, as the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) of January 17 to February 8, 2015 appraoches, Brahimi is one player to watch out for as he is already part of Algeria’s squad to play in Equatorial Guinea.

    Concerning the AFCON, Brahimi said: “The Africa Cup of Nations is also coming. There are big opportunities for me and I hope I’ll be able to achieve big things this year both with my national team and my club.

  • JAN. 2015 TRANSFERS: Enyeama denies Arsenal

    JAN. 2015 TRANSFERS: Enyeama denies Arsenal

    Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has denied reports he is being monitored by English Premier League side Arsenal and said it will take ‘something special’ to leave his present club, Lille for any other club.

    The 32-year -old Lille of France shot-stopper has seen his stock rise over the last year given his impressive displays for club and country – a development which has seen him linked to several clubs across Europe.

    But the Nigeria captain told  SL10.ng that he hasn’t heard from Arsene Wenger or anyone at Arsenal, and said it will take something big and special to lure him away from the north of France.

    “Something has to happen for me to leave Lille. Lille is such a home for me; it has to take something big for me to leave Lille, something special. I’m not just going to leave Lille for leaving sake like most players do.

    “They take pay cuts to leave their clubs; I’m not going to do that. I have a good offer and I’m happy in Lille and it’s like a home to me. I have not heard of any offers from them (Arsenal), but I only read from the pages of newspapers and I have not spoken to my agent about it, but a few things happen,” he told SL10.ng.

    Arsenal are reported to be eyeing a number of goalkeepers to provide stiff competition for Wojciech Szczesny, even though they signed David Ospina last summer, but the Colombian is yet to feature this season.

    And the Gunners are reported to be looking at other options, with Chelsea’s Petr Cech also mentioned and could move for the Czech international as early as January.

  • Enyeama begs Nigerians

    Enyeama begs Nigerians

    Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama has apologised to fans for their disastrous 2-2 draw at home to South Africa, a result that ensured Nigeria won’t be hoisting their flag in Equatorial Guinea next year.

    The reliable goalkeeper refused to hide behind any excuses as he bravely fronted up after the game to tell the fans, ‘We are sorry’.

    Nigeria started the better of the two sides and forward Ahmed Musa twice went close to giving the hosts the lead, hitting the crossbar before South Africa goalkeeper Darren Keet bravely denied the CSKA Moscow man in a one-on-one.

    Musa’s profligacy in front of goal was punished by Tokelo Rantie in the 43rd minute as he worked his way past the defensive line and fired beyond Enyeama.

    Rantie continued to serve as South Africa’s most dangerous attacking threat and just two minutes after the half-time interval he doubled his tally, leaving Nigeria with a mountain to climb.

    Kenneth Omeruo was at fault as he lost possession to Rantie, who proceeded past a couple of defenders and powered home.

    Sone Aluko responded, though, slotting in on the rebound after Ikechukwu Uche’s curling effort had struck the post before Letsholonyane was shown a second yellow for a cynical foul on Juwon Oshaniwa four minutes later.

    Keshi’s side flung bodies forward in search of a dramatic turnaround and Aluko levelled matters with a low drive into the bottom left corner in the 94th minute.

    South Africa, who are still yet to beat Nigeria in a competitive fixture, subsequently finished top of the group unbeaten while Congo’s 1-0 win over Sudan means they will also contest the tournament slated to start in Equatorial Guinea in January.

  • Nigerians Sports Awards: Okagbare, Enyeama win double

    Nigerians Sports Awards: Okagbare, Enyeama win double

    •Fashola, Oshoala, Quadri, Dedevbo shine

    Africa’s fastest woman and Commonwealth gold medalist Blessing Okagbare and Super Eagles Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama won two awards at the 2014 edition of the Nigerian Sports Awards.

    Okagbare carted home the Track and Field Star of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year categories while Enyeama won the Footballer of the Year and Sportsman of the Year awards.

    The event, which was held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, was well attended by dignitaries from the Nigerian sports circle made up of ex- internationals, sports administrators, the media as well as personalities drawn from the corporate world.

    Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State emerged the Sport Governor of the year ahead of Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

    Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi, the Lagos Sate Commissioner for Youth Sports and Social Development who is also the President of the Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), emerged the winner of the Sports Administrator of the Year.

    Other winners at the 2014 award include Super Falcon striker and Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the just concluded African women Championship (AWC) Asisat Oshoala who won the Footballer of the Year (Women) category, the Ball sports personality of the year was won by Portugal based Aruna Quadri who also won the category in 2013 while Falconets star, Courtney Dike emerged as the Discovery of the Year 2014.

    Three prominent Nigerian Sports Legends were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. They are Pa KAB Olowu, who won two silver medals at the 1954 Commonwealth Games, Dr. George Ogan who won a Silver medal at the 1966 Commonwealth games and Dr. Awoture Elaye who was the coach of the Nigerian team to the 1990 Commonwealth games. This category of the award was presented by another veteran, Modupe Oshikoya who was honoured with the same award at the maiden edition.

    In the School Sports category, St. Barnabas Primary School, Ilorin emerged winner for winning the West African Football Union (WAFU) under-13 Football competition thereby displacing Greensprings School, Lagos who won the category back to back in the last two editions.

    The Falconets emerged the Team of the Year while their Coach, Peter Dedevbo who is also a nominee of the FIFA Women Football Coach of the Year emerged the Coach of the Year.

    In the Combat sports personality of the year category, Odunayo Adekuroye emerged winner; Efe Ajagba won the Boxer of the Year; Loveline Obiji won the Special Sports Person of the Year and Maryam Usman won the Weightlifter of the Year.

    In the Sports Journalist category, Tana Aiyeina of Punch Newspaper emerged the Journalist of the Year (Print), Ayodele Ojo of the Sun Newspaper emerged the Sports Photo Journalist of the Year, Godwin Enakheana of Top Radio won the Sports Journalist of the Year (Radio) while Miyen Akiri of Galaxy Television won the Sports Journalist of the year (Television).

    The Chairman of the award panel, Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo described the third edition of the award as a significant milestone not only for the organisers of the award but for the country as a whole in commemoration of the centenary celebration of the nation.

  • Only hardwork will save Eagles — Enyeama

    Only hardwork will save Eagles — Enyeama

    Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama has insisted that mere wishes can never see the African champions through in their make or mar encounter in Port Noire, Congo Republic today.

    Enyeama who spoke before the African Champions left Abuja for the East African country, said that the present situation the team found itself can only be remedied if all the players decides to give in their very best in the encounter. Quoting his words, the former Enyimba of Aba safe hand said “we have found ourselves in a very difficult situation, which unfortunately may not be our desire. As African Champions, much was expected from us before the qualifiers, but football being what it is, has put us in a very tight situation, that we need to work extra hard to remedy it. This would have start from this match in Congo. The Congolese came here and ran away with the maximum points at stake, so we are going down there to pay them them back in their own coins.

    But, this is our wishes, and desire, but for it to be actualize, we must work extra hard all through the ninety minutes of the game. We must avoid any slight loss of concentration and we must be very focused”.

    Continuing, the Akwa Ibom born goalkeeper who may not feature in today’s encounter due to the shoulder injury he sustained in his club’s league match, said “I don’t pray to be part of the Super Eagles team that would not defend the trophy they won last year, and all the players have that at the back of their minds. They know that every of such tournament is always a boost to their careers, so they are very determined more that ever before to battle the Red Devils of Congo to a stand still today at home” he concluded.

    Super Eagles will need an outright win against the Congolese to draw level with them in points, before facing the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday.