The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Vincent Enyeama

  • PLANE CRASH: Okocha, Enyeama, Mikel others condole with Chapecoense

    PLANE CRASH: Okocha, Enyeama, Mikel others condole with Chapecoense

    Ex-internationals, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Vincent Enyeama, Super Eagles players including Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Brown Ideye, Odion Ighalo, Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile, Ogenyi Onazi, Kelechi Iheanacho and the Nigeria Football Federation joined the rest of the world to express their condolences to the families of players and officials of Brazilian club Chapecoense, who were killed in the tragic Colombian plane crash on Monday night.

    At least 75 people died after a plane carrying members of the first team and coaching staff, as well as a number of journalists, came down in Cerro Gordo in Colombia.

    The plane – a British Aerospace 146 short-haul aircraft – was carrying a total of 72 passengers and nine crew members, including a total of 22 Chapecoense players, according to reports in Colombia.

    the-wreckage-of-the-plane-carrying-the-brazilian-first-division-team
    Pictures from the scene show the crumpled remains of the aircraft after it crashed down in Colombia.

    While leading other national team mates in delivering a heartfelt tribute to the players, Captain of the Super Eagles, Mikel Obi said, “Thoughts are with @ChapecoenseReal right now … Stay strong, the football family is with you ??.”

    Leicester City forward, Ahmed Musa said via @ahmedmusa718, “My thoughts and prayers go out to all the players’ families and everyone associated with @chapecoenseReal football club???????.”

    Ogu who plies his trade in Israel with Hapoel Be’er Sheva, posted a logo of the club on his Twitter account with a message, “A very sad day for me ??. RIP to everyone involved.

    Watford striker, Ighalo said via @Ighalojude, “Sad News. Thoughts are with @chapecoensereal and their family?.”

    “My thoughts and prayers go out to all the players families and everyone associated with @ChapecoenseReal football club??,” Olympiacos forward, Ideye posted via @Ideyebrown.

    Alanyaspor defender, Kenneth Omeruo posted on Instagram, “This is a sad day for football.. ???. Let’s all please pray for the families of the deceased.”

    Standard Liege left-back, Echiejile said via his Twitter account @EldersonEch, “I mourn with the #Chapecoense football team, families and friends of those involved in the crash #Sad #EUE3.”

    Trabzonspor midfield marshal, Onazi simply posted on his Instagram page @onaziogenyi, “Lord have mercy. RIP.”

    Manchester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho also posted on his Instagram page @kelechi72, “This is a sad news for football nations and the families involved, pray that they all RIP.”

    Okocha, a former national team captain posted on his Instagram page, official_jj10, “#Horrible news# my condolences to the families, fans and club members, sad day.” While Vincent Enyeama said via @vinpee, “RIP to the dead. Healing to the wounded and broken. Fortitude to bear the lost to the families, fans friends and loved ones.”

    The Nigeria Football Federation commented on social media: “Our thoughts are with @CBF_Futebol and Mgt. of Brazilian club @ChapecoenseReal following their loss in a plane crash #ForcaChape.”

     

  • Pressure mounts on Enyeama as Lille tackle Nantes

    Pressure mounts on Enyeama as Lille tackle Nantes

    Former Super Eagles safe hand, Vincent Enyeama will have his hands full when Lille battles Nantes on Saturday at Stade de la Beaujoire.

    The Ligue 1 side has in recent times become embattled after strings of poor results leading to the sacking of Coach Frédéric Antonetti, exactly a year after his appointment.

    Lille have managed just three wins and 10 goals in Ligue 1 and still seem to be suffering a hangover from their Europa League third qualifying round defeat to Qabala of Azerbaijan in August. The club is frantically searching for a fourth coach in barely 18 months with some of the fans expressing worry and the need to get the club back to winning ways.

    The players agree that they need play better and provide better cover for Enyeama if they are to post better result

    “I never would have thought that we could be in this situation,” Eder – supposed to be the star man this season after his Euro 2016 heroics for Portugal – told Friday’s L’Equipe. “It is our fault. We must play better. This is the time to really change things.”

    How far the feeling disappointment can be translated on the pitch to make the needed difference some say will depend how well the team play against fellow strugglers FC Nantes, coached by a familiar face in Girard.

    Interestingly former player Patrick Collot will take interim charge and will be hoping that his effort complemented by the players will yield result even as the fans pray for Enyeama to have a good day in goal.

  • Enyeama among Europe’s top 10 goalkeepers

    Enyeama among Europe’s top 10 goalkeepers

    Former Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama, has been named among the top 10 goalkeepers in Europe for the 2015/16 season by the Swiss-based CIES Football Observatory.

    The ranking was done by taking into account the number of goals conceded per match, number of minutes per goal, number of passes per match, number of saves per match, number of saves per goal conceded and the percentage of saves.

    The 33-year-old finished in sixth place behind Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Jan Oblak ( Atletico Madrid), Gianluigi Buffon ( Juventus), Kevin Trapp ( PSG) and Claudio Bravo ( Barcelona), Goal reports.

    Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Alphonse Areola (Villarea)l, Keylor Navas ( Real Madrid) and Pepe Reina ( Napoli) completed the list.

    Enyeama won a record 101 caps with the Super Eagles and won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.

  • NFF in talks with Enyeama, Emenike

    NFF in talks with Enyeama, Emenike

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it is in talks with Vincent Enyeama and Emmanuel Emenike, former goalkeeper and striker respectively, over possible return to Super Eagles.

    Super Eagles Interim Coach Samson Siasia who said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, said the aim was to ensure that the country assembles its best legs against Egypt.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Super Eagles have crucial two-legged Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), qualifying matches against the Pharaohs of Egypt.

    The first leg encounter takes place in Kaduna on March 25, while the return leg match is scheduled for Cairo on March 29.

    Siasia said NFF was exploring every avenue capable of bringing success, adding that it had taken steps to facilitate the players’ return to the team.

    “We just finished talking with the NFF Technical Director, Shaibu Amadu; we are just putting the list of invited players together and after the NFF Technical Committee meeting on Thursday, the list should be released,’’ he said.

    “The Super Eagles’ Secretary, Dayo Enebi, will be contacting the invited players and he is talking with Enyeama and Emenike; we will talk with them when they are ready to talk.

    “We will be happy to see these players back in the team if they can help us to qualify for 2017 AFCON,’’ he said.

    The Olympic silver medal winning coach, however, said he was not under any pressure to win Egypt.

    “The job for me is tasking but we are here for challenges and, being a challenge does not mean that it is a mountain we cannot climb.

    “I am not feeling any pressure; all I want to do is to ensure we do well in the two games against Egypt.’’

    NAN reports that Siasia was appointed on Friday by the NFF as interim Super Eagles coach following the resignation of Sunday Oliseh.

    He is to be assisted by Flying Eagles’ coach Emmanuel Amuneke, Salisu Yusuf and Alloy Agu.

  • NFF to organise testimonial for Enyeama

    NFF to organise testimonial for Enyeama

    The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has said a testimonial will be organised for Lille goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, saying he deserves “an honourable exit” from the Super Eagles.

    Enyeama returned to Belgium on Saturday to meet with Pinnick, NFF 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi and 2nd Vice President, Shehu Dikko, africanFootball.com reports.

    Pinnick told Enyeama in clear terms that the country is bigger than any individual, and that even if he was determined to quit international football, he should not do so in a situation of acrimony.

    “I told him that he did so well for Nigeria over the past 13-and-half years that he had been there, and by all means, is deserving of a honourable exit,” Pinnick told africanFootball.com.

    “Whatever the situation, whether he decides to return to the team or not, the NFF will organise a worthy testimonial match in his honour because he served the nation so well.

    “However, the head coach is in full charge of the team and the camp at all times, and that fact must be respected. The NFF will support and respect the decision of the head coach of any of the national teams at all times.

    “Both Oliseh and Enyeama are true heroes of Nigeria football, if you look at what they achieved at different times. But Oliseh is head coach now and in charge of the team. We will continue to respect his contract, our role as a federation is advisory.”

    Pinnick further hinted that a code of conduct for players and officials of the various national teams will soon come into force.

  • Enyeama lied on row – Oliseh

    Enyeama lied on row – Oliseh

    Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has said he has been disappointed with “lies” by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama over their major falling out in Belgium.

    On Tuesday, Oliseh and Enyeama clashed at a team meeting during which CSKA Moscow forward, Ahmed Musa, was announced as new captain of the Eagles ahead of the Lille goalkeeper, who had been leading the team since Joseph Yobo retired from international football last year.

    Oliseh said on a radio interview Friday morning the lies were aimed at assassinating his character.

    The coach himself a former Eagles captain maintained he did not get the security to walk out the Lille goalkeeper and neither did he insult the player’s late mother.

    “There is a level to how far you can go in character assassination by Enyeama. This is unheard of,” africanFootball.com quoted Oliseh as saying during the interview.

    He equally narrated how he drove to France to discuss his coaching philosophy and ideas with Enyeama after he was appointed Super Eagles coach in July.

    “I took him to lunch and shared my coaching philosophy with him.

    “He was talking about retirement from the national team), which I didn’t like,” Oliseh added.

    The coach also recalled that this is not the first time Enyeama has fell out with a national team coach.

    “In 2008, he was dropped to second or third goalkeeper because of this and under Sammy (Siasia), he also had problems,” Oliseh said.

     

  • Breaking News: Enyeama quits Super Eagles

    Breaking News: Enyeama quits Super Eagles

    Lille goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has quit international football after a meeting with top official of the Nigeria Football Federation in Belgium Thursday.

    Enyeama’s decision did not come as a surprise after a major falling out with Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, on Tuesday night following the announcement of Ahmed Musa as new captain, africanFootball.com reports.

    Earlier, on Thursday, the ex- Enyimba shot stopper, who has been Eagles’ skipper since Joseph Yobo quit international football last year, vowed “not to walk out on Nigeria.”

    But he later said on Instagram: “I have fought a good fight for more than 13 years. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion.

    “Henceforth, there is laid for me a crown which only GOD can reward me for my 13 years of national service.

    “God bless NIGERIA.  HENCEFORTH, I am no more the captain of the NIGERIAN senior football team, I am no more the goalie of the team, I am out of the team.

    “I am no more available for international duties.

    “I want to say thank you to every Nigerian fan and our supporters worldwide. It has been the most trying period of my life, but I know that Nigerians are there for me and God is with me. God bless NIGERIA.”

  • I won’t walk out on Nigeria – Enyeama

    I won’t walk out on Nigeria – Enyeama

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has insisted he will not walk out on Nigeria, but will take a decision on his international future after a meeting with the leadership of the country’s football.

    Enyeama, who has won a record 101 caps for Nigeria, had a major falling out with Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, after Ahmed Musa was named the team’s new captain ahead of the Lille goalkeeper.

    “I won’t walk out on Nigeria, but I won’t be treated like a beggar especially after what I have done for this country and Nigeria has always been there for me,” africanFootball.com quoted Enyeama as saying on a radio interview monitored Thursday morning.

    “I’m still available to play for Nigeria. I’m a Nigerian, I play for Nigeria, not for anybody or a group of people.

    “The captaincy of the team is not a problem for me, but there should have been a better way of settling this.

    “The coach said he doesn’t want me in his team. I was castigated and embarrassed.

    “But the NFF president has ordered me to stay in camp. I will meet with him and then take a decision.”

    A deeply hurt Enyeama said he respects Oliseh, but would not enter a private meeting with the coach.

  • Mum was my pillar – Enyeama

    Mum was my pillar – Enyeama

    Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama, is still “shattered and devastated” following the death of his mother last month.

    Enyeama sat out Nigeria’s last two internationals, against Tanzania and Niger Republic, as a result but is billed to return for October’s fixtures against Congo DR and Cameroon in Belgium, supersport.com reports.

    He also missed Lille OSC’s Ligue 1 fixture against Montpellier which Les Dogues won 2-0 on Friday.

    The ex-Enyimba goalkeeper is currently in his Akwa Ibom hometown, where his mother will be laid to rest on Saturday and the 33-year-old took the time to pay his last respects to the woman he described as his “pillar.”

    “I am shattered and devastated because my mother was my pillar. She was full of life and showed no signs of illness before she died so this is quite difficult to take,” he told supersport.com.

    Enyeama is the most capped Nigerian international in history with 101 appearances for the Super Eagles and has played at three FIFA World Cups in 2002, 2010 and 2014.

    He was also part of the Nigeria side that won the Africa Cup of Nations title in South Africa in 2013 and he pointed out the role his late mother played in his numerous career successes.

    “My mother was always there for me handing me important pieces of advice and always praying for me.

    “In the most difficult moments of my life, she was always there, and there is no way I would have achieved all I have if it wasn’t for her influence in my life,” he said.

  • Enyeama red-carded in Lille draw

    Enyeama red-carded in Lille draw

    Lille goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, was issued with a straight red card as his side played a 1-1 draw at Rennes in the French Ligue 1 on Friday night.

    Giovanni Sio was through on goal before referee Stephane Jochem adjudged he had been felled by the Nigeria international, who was subsequently sent off, Goal reports.

    Enyeama’s team mates were furious at the decision and protested for over two minutes, but their mood improved when Paul-Georges Ntep’s penalty was saved by substitute goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

    It was Enyeama’s first dismissal in the Ligue 1, and could now leave him with a one-game ban.

    Lille took the lead on 49 minutes when Junior Tallo’s cut-back was cleverly taken by Sofiane Boufal, whose left-foot finish caught out Abdoulaye Diallo in the Rennes goal, before Paul-Georges Ntep rescued the home team.