Vincent Enyeama Sensational Return to Akwa United - "I Will Play for Free"

 

After 17 years of quitting the Nigeria Professional Football League for a career in Europe, former Super Eagles captain and two-time CAF Champions League winner Vincent Enyeama has hinted at the possibility of making a sensational return to the Nigerian league.

Enyeama got his breakthrough at Ibom Stars, where he made 56 appearances and scored a goal, before joining Enyimba in 2001.

During his three years stint at Enyimba, the goalkeeper had 100 appearances and was on target on 10 occasions.

Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Africa, Enyeama won three league titles and two CAF Champions League with the Aba Elephant.

The Aba-born goalkeeper had another spell with Iwuanyanwu Nationale, before leaving for Israel in 2005 team up with Bnei Yehuda, where he spent two seasons.

Between 2007 and 2011, the legendary keeper filed out for Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he made 113 appearances.

In 2011, Enyeama moved to French side Lille for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract and became René Girard’s first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Steeve Elana, during the 2013/14 Ligue 1 season.

2018 World Cup

Enyeama kept 11 consecutive clean sheets in Ligue 1 matches during the first half of the season, a feat that earned him the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé – an award given to the best player who represents an African national football team in Ligue 1.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner’s illustrious career in Europe came to an end in 2018.

With over 600 appearances during his spell, Enyeama, who turned 40 last week, revealed he was not done yet as he prepared to return to action.

“It’s really interesting, yes it is, and I miss football,” Enyeama said in an interview on Uyo’s Comfort 95.1FM, as per Fagenwa Sanni.

“So, I would like to return to it, first with a team here in France, because I trained here in Lille and back when I was in Akwa Ibom.

“And I will come back to Nigeria next year. So, if Akwa United needs a goalkeeper for 4 to 5 months, yes, I have the opportunity to play for free.”

One of Nigeria’s greatest-ever goalkeepers, Enyeama was named in the IFFHS CAF Men’s Team of the Decade between 2011 and 2020.