Enyeama celebrates award, hopeful about Brazil 2014

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama
| credits: liveofofo.com

Nigeria and Lille of France goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has spoken of his joy at becoming the first goalkeeper to be named French Ligue 1 African Player of the Season.

The goalkeeper is also the first Nigerian to win the Marc-Vivien Foe prize, named after the Cameroon international midfielder who died aged 28 of a heart attack in 2003. Enyeama has played all 37 league games for his club this season while conceding only 25 goals. The Nigerian indeed impressed voters by keeping a clean sheet for 11 consecutive matches (1062 minutes). He had lost the Professional Footballers Union (UNFP) best goalkeeper award on Sunday evening to Paris Saint Germain’s Salvatore Sirigu.

The Eagles vice captain thanked Nigerians for the support he has received, which he said also made it possible for him to be named the best player this season.

Enyeama, who spoke to the Eagles media officer from France, said he was delighted and promised that he would not fail the country fans during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

He said, “It’s amazing, a great honour and I deeply appreciate it. I must first give glory to God, my team-mates, family and our beautiful fans for their remarkable support. It’s a reward for team effort and having great people in front of me. Together we’ve endured a tough but interesting season.

 “Now the leagues are almost over across the world and all of us have a new focus, which is the World Cup, we will go there and enjoy ourselves and also excel for ourselves and the country. I can’t wait for the World Cup to start.”

If returnee Joseph Yobo makes it to the World Cup, it means that the goalkeeper will be in Brazil as the deputy captain having led the team through the qualifying series.

Also Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany defender, Leon Balogun, has expressed satisfaction with the decision of Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi not to pick him for the World Cup. The player is just recovering from a toe injury he copped in the Eagles friendly game against Mexico in Atlanta, United States in March.

Balogun said it would have been unfair if a player who was just recuperating was picked ahead of a lot of others waiting in the wings.

 “I have to be realistic; I had little or no chance of making the World Cup team because I have just started running now. I did five times, three minutes yesterday and today I have done three times, eight minutes and should be back playing in two weeks but that will not get me ready for the competition,” he said.