Former Nigerian captain Vincent Enyeama retires from national football after rift with the new team coach. The veteran player who has played over 100 matches for the national team quit the national team after their 2-0 defeat to DR Congo on Thursday. He made his decision public in an emotional instagram post where he thanked his fans and the country for their support after all this while. Enyeama spent 13 years with the national team where he played in five African nation cups, three world cups and so many other friendly matches.
Vincent Enyeama’s departure was caused mainly by the rift between him and the team coach. He arrived the team’s camp in Belgium late and noticed he had been stripped of his captain armband. Enyeama felt it wasn’t right of them since his he left because of his mother’s burial. He decided to air his views during the team dinner but the coach didn’t like the idea and asked the goal keeper to keep his views for a later moment. Enyeama insisted in airing his views at that point in time and was then given an ultimatum by the coach which is to either seat quiet or leave the hall and the goal keeper picked the later option.
The Nigerian Football Association initially claimed they had settled the issue but it is obvious the goal keeper doesn’t feel the same way going by his actions to end his time with the national team. The coach, Sunday Oliseh invited Dele Alampasu as a second option for the goal keeper but that act made the goal keeper feel his position was threatened. He would continue to play for French club Lille till he decides to finally quite football.
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