Vincent Enyeama quit Super Eagles
Three former Green Eagles players, Christian Chukwu, Adokiye Amiesiamaka and Joe Erico yesterday expressed different opinions over the resignation of Nigeria’s long serving captain, Vincent Enyeama.
While Chukwu and Erico were of the opinion that Enyeama’s retirement was untimely, Amiesiamaka says the player should be allowed to leave if he feels it is the right time for him to quit.
Erico, also a former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, expressed shock on the premature manner Enyeama threw in the towel when the nation still needed his service.
“Enyeama should understand that he is serving the country and not his coach, Sunday Oliseh. So whatsoever might have happened between him and Oliseh should not have forced his resignation in this premature manner. It is indeed not to the best interest of the nation in which Enyeama had served for many years,” Erico said.
Christian Chukwu, a former coach of the Super Eagles, decried the manner in which Enyeama was replaced as captain, saying it “was embarrassing and insulting to him”. Chukwu, who was also
a captain of Nigeria’s national team, said that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should have allowed Enyeama to finish the two friendly matches before replacing him.
Adokiye Amiesiamaka, also a former Eagles player, said that Enyeama had served the country meritoriously for many years, and that the nation owe him a befitting farewell.
“I do not know the true fact and don’t want to dabble into that, so if he believes it is the right time to leave, then we must wish him well,” Amiesiamaka said.
Coach Samuel Abimbola of Gateway FC of Abeokuta said “I don’t expect him to hurriedly retire but again I think it is the best for Nigeria so that we don’t run into confusion. I think indirectly, they are telling him to retire after being stripped of the captaincy band.”
Enyeama yesterday announced his retirement from international football, 13 years after making his debut for the Super Eagles.
In a post on his Instagram account, Enyeama wrote passionately about his service to his fatherland and how it must now sadly come to an end following the events of recent days that have left the nation perplexed by the actions of the coach.
“I have fought a good fight for more than 13years. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion,” the 101-capped Enyeama began.
“Henceforth, there is laid for me a crown which only God can reward me for my 13years of national services.
“God bless Nigeria. Henceforth, I am no more the captain of the Nigeria 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 world wide. 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,” he concluded with the hashtag #ENDOFANERA.