Super Eagles Safest Hands Opens Up On How Lille Exit Made
Him African Champion
After four futile attempts at clinching the African Cup
of Nations trophy, Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama eventually realized
this dream when he led the Eagles to success in AFCON 2013 hosted by South
Africa.
Enyeama who made his Nations Cup debut for Nigeria in Tunisia 2004 and went on to Egypt 2006,
Ghana 2008 and Angola 2010, shares his joy with Complete Sports Saturday’s
DAVID MESHIOYE
Would you say that the present Super Eagles have what it
takes to take on the rest of the World?
Honestly we have not arrived yet, there is still a lot to
be done. Just as the coach said, the team is still a work in progress and I
would like to keep it at that. Some big team will still put us to test and a
lot would still be learnt along the line. I hope we will blend well at the
Confederations Cup.
Your wife and your daughter Emmanuela are your foremost
fans; would you like to dedicate this victory to them?
Hmm… not really dedicating it to them but thanking the
Almighty God who made it possible.
People say goalkeepers last longer because they don’t get
the knocks and jibes like other players. Is this true?
The fact that you are goalkeeper does not mean you should
stand aloof and not work collectively to win games. You must know that you’re
just all alone within the sticks, hence you have to be very strong minded
because when you make mistakes, you bear the burden all alone in most cases.
You had the chance to move to some of the big clubs like
Arsenal and Bolton, but you did not join a big side like Lille until you turned
29.Did you ever think your big opportunity had passed you by when the Bolton
deal hit the rocks?
Well, I would like to say my time in Israel then was like an apprenticeship because I needed to
grow in the game. The Bolton rumour became strong because then Eagles skipper,
Austin Okocha was highly respected there as the skipper. I heard there were
talks of me joining the club but it never came to pass. I was not deterred and
I never saw it as a big miss. My belief
was confirmed when Lille came for
me later.
What was it like training with Eden Hazard at Lille? Is
he known to have any strange habit?
Well, I had a great time at Lille even though I was not
getting enough playing time there so I had to move on to save my national team
career. Thank God I did, it was a wise
decision for me because winning the AFCON trophy is the highest point of my
career so far. As for Hazard; a great guy, cool headed and friendly in
training, I have always known that he was just buying time. He was so good he
had to move to Chelsea. It was great playing with Hazard.
What is the worst goalkeeping blunder you’ve ever made Vin?
(Smiles) Every goalkeeper has one. I have made some blunders while I also made
great saves. I love to remember my good deeds in between the posts because they tend to give me the push. I put
my blunders behind me, because if I
don’t I may likely make worse mistakes.
I have made errors that have not cost my country the AFCON trophy. I am happy
with the criticisms because they make you better. A lot of mistakes were made before we eventually won the AFCON
trophy but Coach Stephen Keshi stood solidly behind me and I am happy I did not disappoint him. In my
club, I make some errors and in most cases, I immediately pay back by converting penalty kicks.
Be honest, did you have
issues with former coach Samson Siasia?
Not at all, we just talked over some issues concerning
the team’ comfort and as captain the buck stops on my table when it comes to
making my teammates comfortable. I have nothing against Samson and I must say
every coach has his own style and Samson is no different, it was great working
with him.
What was going through your mind that you almost carried
the centre referee on your shoulder at the AFCON final? Would you say that was
the craziest thing you’ve ever done on
the field?
(Laughter) You see when the man blew; I thought he was
going to penalize me for time wasting but when he walked up to me, rather than
issue a yellow, he demanded for the ball and sounded the final whistle. I
thought he was my teammate and I almost carried him because I did not even know
how well to celebrate that victory. Yes, you could say that was crazy but to me
that was my happiest moment.
How far have you gone
as regards shouting at defenders in your team? How do you always resolve
any issue after each game?
Not really, I don’t get angry at my defenders. I
just respectfully tell them to do their
jobs so that I don’t have to apologize
for anything after any game.
Who is the best defender you’ve ever played with?
Honestly, I can’t really count now. For me; I consider
you good enough when you give me the best covering I can get in a match and
follow my advice. Don’t forget it takes a good goalkeeper to bring the best out
of a defender. I have enjoyed working with Super Eagles defenders too and the new
guys at the just concluded AFCON really showed class. I think the future is
bright for Super Eagles.
It is hard playing with different defenders in each game.
What was going through your mind when Keshi kept reshuffling his defenders?
You see, when he came to team, he told us his plans and
programmes , how he intends to turn the team around and make us Africa’s best.
It was after I heard it all, that I resolved in my heart to be part of this
moving train. He was bringing in new defenders who were ready to die for the
country, and then I knew the team would go places, I had no problem with that
at all.
In your opinion, who
is the best goalkeeper in the world today?
Ha! That is a difficult question. There are lots of good
goalkeepers out there but we’ve not really had anyone so exceptional like we
have Messi and Ronaldo in terms of attacking players. We saw lots of great
performances at the last World Cup. Iker Cassilas is a great goalkeeper and Gianluigi Buffon too has been great. Also Peter Cech and the young lad at
United, David de Gea , are some of the
good goalkeepers I am talking about.
You lead prayers in the national team. How is it like
coping with players of diverse beliefs?
That is simple; respect everyone and their beliefs and
you won’t run into troubled waters.
Besides, what we all want is to win, so
nobody wants to undermine the place of prayer in our team’s success.
Do you think the
Confederations Cup will be a different
kettle of fish?
Surely yeah! We
have to prepare well for it because we would be playing against bigger teams. I
know we will be ready for the Confederations Cup. For now, let’s just focus on the World Cup
qualifiers and savour this moment.
Thank you for talking to Complete Sports Saturday
Vincent.
Thank you guys.
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