Who wears the crown after Enyeama exit?

Olufemi Kayode

After former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain Vincent Enyeama’s called it quits with the national team on Thursday, ’TANA AIYEJINA takes a look at some keepers who could step into his position in this report

On Thursday Vincent Enyeama, Nigeria’s most capped player, quit international football after a meeting with top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation in Belgium.

The Lille goalkeeper had 101 caps for Nigeria in an international career that spanned 13 years but his decision to call it quits came after a clash with Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh on Tuesday night following the pronouncement of CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa as the national team’s new captain.

The 33-year-old, who made his Nigeria debut against England at the 2002 World Cup, stated on Instagram that he had quit international football

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

“God bless Nigeria. From 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 supporter worldwide. It’s 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.”

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Enyeama won a record-breaking 101 caps in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad in Kaduna, to beat a century of appearances compiled by Joseph Yobo at last year’s World Cup. The ex-Enyimba keeper featured in three World Cups (2002, 2010 and 2014) and won the 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Undoubtedly Africa’s best keeper in recent years, Enyeama’s exit leaves a big void in the goalkeeping section of the national team. The experienced keeper’s stunning saves and sharp reflexes have never gone unnoticed and he was named the fourth best goalkeeper at last year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Even though the France-based goalie will be sorely missed, Nigeria has never been known to lack in the goalkeeping section. Right from the era of Carl O’Dwyer, Sam Ibiam, Amusa Adisa, Eyo Essien, Inuwa Lawal Rigogo, Joe Erico, Emmanuel Okala, Patrick Okala, Best Ogedegbe, Peter Fregene, Peter Rufai, David Ngodigha, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Ike Shorunmu, Dosu Joesph to Enyeama.

The following keepers may just seize the opportunity to continue the rich tradition from where Enyeama stopped.

Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Carl Ikeme

Ikeme looks likely to take over as the Eagles first choice after his eye-catching displays on his debut in last month’s AFCON qualifier against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

The 6ft 3in keeper was Nigeria’s man of the match against the East Africans despite appearing in Nigeria’s colours for the first time. Indeed, he was the reason the Eagles managed a 0-0 draw against the less-fancied hosts.

At 29, Ikeme, whose father is from Onitsha, may not be the long-term replacement for Enyeama but his height, above-average diving skills and sharp reflexes make him a skilled close-shot and free-kick stopper. He is a long-thrower of the ball, meaning he can also create scoring chances for the Eagles.

Austin Ejide (Free agent)

Ejide made his Eagles debut against Namibia in 2001 and even though he has been consistent in the Nigerian squad, he played second fiddle to Enyeama.

The 31-year-old, who last played for Israel’s Hapoel Be’er Sheva had to struggle to displace the Eagles’ regular number one with few success. A veteran of two FIFA World Cups and five Africa Cup of Nations, Ejide has played just four matches in all at these competitions.

That was during the 2008 AFCON in Ghana, when then Nigeria coach Berti Vogts picked him ahead of Enyeama, the German preferring Ejide’s height and strength. At 6ft 1in, the former Etoile du Sahel man fits the height for the modern keeper but currently unattached, he may find it difficult getting a chance back in the team.

Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United)

Akpeyi has been part of the national team right from youth level representing Nigeria at the 2005 U-20 World Cup and the Beijing 2008 Olympics, but wasn’t part of action in both tournaments. He was in the 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup but eventually didn’t make the trip to Brazil.

The 29-year-old got his first full cap in 2015, for the friendly against South Africa in the absence of the injured Enyeama. He made the most of the opportunity pulling off some daring saves and even stopping a penalty as he emerged Man of the Match.

His brilliance against the Bafana Bafana impressed scouts of South Africa’s Chippa United, who handed him a two-year deal and the Nnewi-born keeper hasn’t disappointed since he received his work permit documents.

Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars)

Born on October 16, 1988, Sunshine’s Ezenwa was second choice to Ambrose Vanzekin at the 2008 Olympics but didn’t feature in a single game at the tournament. He’s been highly consistent in the domestic league and earned a rare chance in the Eagles, when he replaced Ikeme in the 80th minute of the friendly against Niger last month. He is full of confidence and ranks among the best the local league can boast of.

Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

The Pillars captain has been one of Nigeria’s best keepers in the country in the last five years, but has never gotten a national recognition, as he has only been sparingly invited to the Super Eagles.

The Edo-born keeper has been with Pillars for a decade and helped the Yellows win the league title for three consecutive seasons, but his exclusion from the Eagles by the team’s coaches, has continued to baffle his fans.

The talented keeper, a member of the 2011 U-23 squad, has continued to churn out impressive performances week-in-week-out. He is a top choice for the home-based Eagles’ number one position.

Chijioke Ejiogu (Enyimba)

Ejiogu is the most successful footballer in the history of Nigeria’s oldest football competition, the Federation Cup, winning six titles with four different clubs. He came into limelight at Arugo Babes in the Federation Cup in the early 2000s and has never looked back ever since.

The experienced shot stopper, was at a point considered the best goalkeeper in the domestic league but he seemed to have revived his career at Enyimba, where the outstanding 30-year-old kept Femi Thomas on the bench in the first half of the season. Ejiogu is a major reason why Enyimba are top of the Nigeria Premier League log. He is also a penalty specialist.

Femi Thomas (Enyimba)

Thomas is undoubtedly one of the most talented keepers of his generation in the domestic league. Thomas joined Enyimba from Akwa United in 2013, displacing Paul Godwin as the first choice keeper with some impressive goalkeeping and hasn’t looked back since.

The hardworking keeper, who hails from Ososo in Edo State, was called in as replacement for Enyeama during the 2017 AFCON qualifier against Tanzania in September.

Ambrose Vanzekin (Warri Wolves)

Ambrose Vanzekin

Vanzekin was seen as the next big thing in the goalkeeping department of the Eagles after superb outings at the 2005 U-20 World Cup and the Beijing 2008 Olympics, where Nigeria emerged runners-up to Argentina on both occasions. But after both competitions, the keeper has found himself down in the pecking order of his contemporaries.

However, having played against the likes of Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria and other stars at age-grade levels, he sure knows what it takes to appear and perform on the big stage.

Dele Alampasu (Estoril)

The 2013 U-17 World Cup winner and best goalkeeper recently joined Portuguese side Estoril after Future Stars and Football College had claimed ownership of the keeper. He showed glimpses of one to watch in future but he was largely inactive before his recent move to Portugal.

The youngster was third choice at the 2015 U-20 World Cup behind Joshua Enaholo and Olorunleke Ojo. He was a member of the home-based Eagles to the 2014 CHAN tournament in South Africa and was invited by Oliseh for the double friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon.

Others

There are several other fantastic keepers in the local scene, who could make a claim to the number one position in the Eagles.

Joshua Enaholo made a dream move from newly-promoted MFM to Premier League leaders after being made first choice at the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. Despite a shaky start that saw him concede some cheeky goals in the 4-2 defeat to Brazil, Enaholo rose in confidence afterwards. He is currently behind great keepers like Thomas, Ejiogu and Moses Ocheje at the People’s Elephant, but learning the tricks of the game under the trio could further enhance his potential as a world-class shot stopper.

Akwa United’s Olufemi Kayode has been impressive in the domestic topflight this season and is famed for his penalty saving heroics. Warri Wolves’ Okiemute Odah has also been very consistent in the league while ex-Eaglet Bassey Akpan, on loan at Abia Warriors from Bayelsa United, has gradually risen as one of the country’s best after a stint in the Vietnamese league.

Aside being the best goalkeeper at Trinidad and Tobago 2001, Akpan made his senior debut in 2010, coming on as a late substitute in the 5-2 win over DR Congo. He was also Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper at the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup.

IfeanyiUbah’s Chidiebere Eze received a call-up in March to the Eagles after some astonishing outings; and the 22-year-old could get a recall, if he maintains his form.