Former Shooting Stars goalkeeper Abiodun Baruwa believes Vincent Enyeama can be the Super Eagles first choice shot-stopper for the next five to 10 years.
Enyeama, who will be 31 next month, has played for Nigeria since he took over from Ike Shorunmu after the 2002 Korea/ Japan World Cup. The former Enyimba star was in goal for Nigeria at the Tunisia 2004, Egypt 2006 and South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
His heroics prevented Argentina’s attack led by Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi from scoring a hatful of goals in the South American powerhouse 1-0 defeat of Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
And Baruwa, who was a member of Nigeria’s France ’98 World Cup squad, insists Enyeama is still the man to man the posts for the Eagles for a long time.
“Enyeama is not only Nigeria’s best keeper he is the best in Africa,” the former Sturm Graz keeper told our correspondent online during the week.
“Enyeama just needs to keep going. He is a very good goalkeeper and a very brave one.”
The former Stationery Stores star rejected calls for the Lille safehands, who won the Israeli Premier League title with Maccabi Tel Aviv last season, to be benched for another keeper by Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.
Baruwa warned that the move could backfire, saying Enyeama’s rivals should work hard to upstage him.
“It’s funny that some people are saying he is getting old,” the United Kingdom-based players’ agent said.
“The man still has five to 10 years in him to play football at a higher level.
“He’s consistent and we should allow continue. It pains me that we hate consistency in Nigeria.”
Source: Punch
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