When footballers begin their careers, they dream of many things. Playing for big teams, playing against big teams, winning titles and retiring in a blaze of glory. Vincent Enyeama, growing up in Akwa Ibom, had the same career aspirations as a young footballer and achieved a great deal of success- winning Africa’s biggest and most prestigious club competition, playing at World Cups, leading Nigeria to winning the African Cup of Nations and breaking records as a goalkeeper in one of Europe’s big leagues. Regardless of his lofty achievements, it looks like Enyeama’s career with Nigeria will end without a proverbial blaze of glory. After a conflict with new Super Eagles manager Sunday Oliseh, Enyeama has left the camp of the national team in Belgium, after being stripped of the captaincy of the team in very controversial circumstances, where preparations are on ahead of friendly internationals against Congo DR and Cameroon.
In the beginning
Vincent Enyeama and Sunday Oliseh did not start off on the best note. Following the passing of his mother, Enyeama had to pull out of a crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania last month. Upon arrival in camp in Belgium one day after the deadline due to the funeral of his mother, Enyeama again drew the ire of Oliseh. Eventually, the goalkeeper who has played 101 times for Nigeria- more than anyone else- was stripped of his captaincy and almost forcibly ejected from the team hotel before intervention by Nigeria’s football governing body after which Enyeama stayed in camp.
It’s true that there was a little misunderstanding in the camp of @NGSuperEagles, but the matter has been resolved. Enyeama remains in camp
— The NFF (@thenff) October 6, 2015
However, less than 24 hours later, Enyeama dramatically took to social media to announce his retirement from the team and subsequently drove himself out of the team hotel’s car-park.
Vincent tells me he went in to see @SundayOOliseh and inform him about his decision to retire. Then packed his bags and left
— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) October 8, 2015
For Sunday Oliseh, this is a crisis that has emerged at a crucial time as he is still coming to terms with his title as coach and the task at hand. Since Enyeama is a popular member of the team, his departure has raised questions about team morale and Oliseh’s management skills.
A fairytale without an ending
Given his excellent service, commitment and rise through the ranks for 13 years, from being an understudy to arguably the biggest name in the team and undisputed leader, Enyeama has evolved into being a modern day football hero in a country where such status is only conferred on its most precious heroes. In 2013, after a long and frustrating 19 year wait, Enyeama was part of the team that won the African Cup of Nations and he will be remembered as one of the most loved and committed Nigerian footballers.
After such a long career, it is a shame that rather than bow out in the manner which his career deserved, Enyeama may have permanently exited the Super Eagles in such ignominious circumstances.
