Guess what
Nigeria’s national team first choice goalkeeper could value more than anything
else from 2014 World cup? No, Vincent Enyeama is probably not that excited with
all the souvenirs he got from Brazil.
Well, I
think he may value the $50, 000, 18 carat gold, Rolex wrist watch he bought
while shopping in Rio and perhaps, the Hodula necklace he received as gift from
a girl fan in Sao Paulo. But he may never value that stuff as much as the
Adidas Gloves and his match videos.
I’m just
thinking, perhaps the Adidas gloves
Enyeama used in the World cup may have had a ball magnet fixed inside it or
what would you say that enabled him to catch and parry shots that would have
normally beaten any goalkeeper in the world.
Enyeama had
such outstanding performances that he made FIFA XI, as the best goalkeeper of
the group stage. He scored 9.59/ 10 points as recorded on fifa.com statistics
as the fifth best player in the group stage. Google clouds also recorded that
he made 10 astonishing saves in the four games Nigeria played at the world cup.
You don’t
say, but with such incredible statistics, Enyeama suddenly became the beautiful
bride of world football and many top flight suitors are already lining up.
Arsenal has offered £6.2 million to snap him from Lille OSC of France, where he
is currently. There are also indications
that FC Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain (PSG) are also interest in him
joining them this summer.
Enyeama will
ever cherish 2014 world cup and may probably want to save all the match videos
as a personal marketing demo as well as souvenirs for both his children and
grand children. His performance was by far ranked above all of his teammates.
Many pundits attributed the advancement of Super Eagles into the round of 16,
as the sole effort of their wonderful goalkeeper.
Enyeama
isn’t that a new goalkeeper in the block, the world cup in Brazil wasn’t his
first. He had participated in two previous editions – 2002 and 2010. But his
stunning performance this time around has brought him to world spotlight. It
isn’t an exaggeration, if you closely check statistics; you will find out that
Enyeama is actually among the world’s best. And it’ll not surprise me or
anyone, if FIFA eventually name him the best at the close of the mundial on
July 13.
Enyeama has
very robust records. He is the only goalkeeper in the world that has won the player
of the year award in most leagues he has participated across the world. He won
Nigeria footballer of the year in 2004; Israel footballer of the year in 2009
and he was voted player of the month from September to December 2013 in French
Ligue 1. He is perhaps the most successful goalkeeper from the African
continent.
