The former Lille goalkeeper's exit from the Super Eagles was disappointing, but the Arsenal legend is in no doubt of his compatriot's ability at his peak
1996 Atlanta Olympic Games hero, Nwankwo Kanu, has paid a glowing tribute to former Super Eagles skipper, Vincent Enyeama, saying the one-time Lille goalkeeper was one of the best in the world during his playing days.
Enyeama, Super Eagles' most capped player of all time with 101 caps, his generally regarded as Nigeria's greatest ever goalkeeper following a successful career for club and country.
Kanu himself is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional and most decorated players in the history of the three-time African champions.
But the former Ajax star went back memory lane to celebrate his ex-international teammate, honouring the retired shot-stopper with this caption on Twitter: “Throwback to when social distancing wasn't a thing. @vicentenyeama001 my brother was one of the best in the world and am proud of him {Safe Hands}.”
Throwback to when social distancing wasn’t a thing. @vicentenyeama001 my brother was one of the best in the world and am proud of him { Safe Hands } #africa #nigeria @caf_online @thenffofficial #football #best #onelove #legend pic.twitter.com/vknIR2iX4l
— Kanu Nwankwo (@papilokanu) August 6, 2020
Enyeama helped Enyimba International Football Club of Aba lift three Nigeria Premier League titles and back-to-back CAF Champions League trophies.
He then won two Israeli Premier League honours with different clubs before claiming the 2014 Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award as the best African player in Ligue 1.
On the international scene, Enyeama played crucial roles as the Super Eagles managed third-place finishes at the 2004, 2006, and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, before the former Heartland FC man captained the team to victory in the 2013 edition of the AFCON.
Enyeama also participated in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup before calling time abruptly on his international career in 2015.
Enyeama save from Scholes’ bullet shot in the England versus Nigeria match was voted the save of the tournament at the 2010 Mundial.