He has slowly but surely evolved into not just the Super Eagles best player to date, but the team’s unquestionable leader on and off the field. So while he may still be shy and speak in a loud whisper he is no longer unknown.
Far from it because when scouting Nigeria now, most coaches pray to breach the Eagles defense at least three or four times in the game knowing that their last man will surely negate one or two of their attempts with his cat like reflexes and ability to anticipate where the ball will be placed.
In Brazil both the French and Argentinians identified him as the West Africans most important man and could only beat him with sheer persistence while the Bosnians and Iranians failed miserably. It was no fluke when he was named among the top 5 GK’s of the tournament and undoubtedly the continents best. Meanwhile in France he has continued to build on the fantastic season he had last year which included an amazing record tying run of clean sheets.
There is no doubt that his brilliant Penalty save against the Congo on Saturday (above) was the game changer for the Eagles. Not only did it rob the Devils of their sudden bite and acquired momentum, it left them deflated and easy pickings for the rejuvenated Nigerians. Coach Leroy called it the killer blow.
Enyeama has also grown in carriage and demeanor and improved his tact. Last year when the Eagles drew with Zambia 1-1 in their group game at the ANC in Nelspruit, he vehemently opposed the penalty ( as did all of Nigeria) that allowed Mweene to score and even things for the Southern Africans claiming it was a botched call by the Egyptian Referee Gehad Grisha.
On Saturday when the gargantuan Dore was uprooted by a vicious tackle that could easily have seen Nigeria reduced to 10 men and her house of cards topple, Enyeama almost single handedly diffused the situation by calming the same Gehad Grisha down and preventing him from reaching for his upper left hand pocket. It was done with tact and never once was his voice raised in anger.
Nigeria needs to win in Uyo to move on to defend her crown in Equatorial Guinea that fact is certain. South Africa meanwhile has already qualified and is not just sitting pretty but playing pretty as well. They are unbeaten in qualifications and just let in their first goal on Saturday. They are also still emotional after losing the gallant Senzo Meyiwa (RIP) and nothing would feel better than remembering him by tripping their Nemesis in such a wicked manner at home in front of their own fans.
It will not be easy despite their form because making it harder for them will be the man they call “The Magnet” Vincent Enyeama.
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