By Victor Kanayo
Though, he retired in 2015, as Nigeria’s Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has been named the greatest of all time in Africa.
This is after a critical survey conducted by International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
According to statistics released by IFFHS, an organisation that chronicles the history and records of association football, Enyeama gathered more points than every other African goalkeeper to rate as the continents best ever.
IFFHS which was founded in 1984 by Alfredo Pöge in Leipzig, previously named the Nigerian goalkeeper in the Africa best XI for the decade.
In their current assessment, the broad based organisation has ahead to posit that the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, as the continent’s best between the sticks.
Enyeama’s selection as the best African goalkeeper of all time puts him ahead of other legendary goalkeepers from the continent, including Joseph-Antoine Bell, Thomas N’Kono, and Essam El-Hadary.
Enyeama’s Exceptional Career
The Nigerian former goal-stopper, enjoyed a successful career both for club and country, amounting close to 20 years.
For Nigeria, he held away for 13 years, between 2002- 2015. He eventually became Super Eagles captain in 2013 before his retirement, two years later.
Specifically, Enyeama played a total of 101 games for Nigeria’s Senior National team, the period he represented Nigeria at three FIFA World Cups in Korea/Japan 2002, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014.
He featured in all the Super Eagles’ matches, as they became African champions at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.
Also, this helped Enyeama to back-to-back CAF Champions League titles one 2003 and 2004.
Enyeama played for Ibom Stars, Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Lille and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Other highly rated legendary goalkeepers
In the global rating, Juventus and Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon, tops the chart, followed by Real Madrid and Spain great Iker Casillas.
Jose Luis Chilavert was picked as South America’s greatest, Mohamed Abdullaziz Al-Deayea of Saudi Arabia was selected for Asia, former Real Madrid and Costa Rica shot stopper, Keylor Navas, got the nod in CONCACAF while former Manchester United goalie was picked for Oceania.
