The former Nigeria international enjoyed much of his goalkeeping success in Israel, where he is considered one of the country’s greatest goalkeeping imports, but he also left a long-lasting mark in France
Sunday, December 3, 2023, marked a decade since legendary Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama etched his name in Ligue 1 history by going an astounding 1,062 minutes without conceding a goal, Soccernet.ng reports.
Lille, still in awe of “Spider Enyeaman’s” incredible feat, took to their official website to celebrate the anniversary of this remarkable achievement.
Enyeama’s Journey to Immortality
Vincent Enyeama’s journey with LOSC began on July 1, 2011, when he joined from Hapoel Tel Aviv, where he had won the Israeli league and cup double in 2010.
Enyeama, however, spent the 2011/12 season as a backup goalkeeper at Lille, and he was even shipped back to Israel on loan to Maccabi Tel Aviv for the 2012/13 campaign.
He returned to France in 2013, having helped Maccabi Tel Aviv win the Israeli Premier League and captained Nigeria to glory at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Following an excellent year, and ahead of the 2013-2014 season, Lille coach René Girard handed Enyeama the coveted role of the team’s number 1 goalkeeper.
The then-Nigerian international, along with the defensive quartet of Sidibé, Kjær, Basa, and Béria, in front of him, formed an impenetrable wall that left opposing attackers frustrated.
11 unbeaten matches – A wall that stood tall
From September 15, 2013, to December 3, 2013, Enyeama kept clean sheets in 11 consecutive matches, thwarting the likes of Sochaux, Lyon, Monaco, and Marseille.
The streak came to an end on December 8, 2013, against Bordeaux, but the impact lingered, solidifying his place in history.
Accolades and achievements
During this extraordinary period, Enyeama earned several accolades, including the Player of the Month Trophy for October and November, the Marc-Vivien Foé Prize for the best African player in Ligue 1, and the title of the best goalkeeper of the 2013-2014 season.
LOSC finished the season in third place with the second-best defence in Ligue 1, conceding only 26 goals.
Legacy at LOSC
Vincent Enyeama’s tenure at LOSC spanned from October 26, 2011, to April 15, 2017, encompassing 164 matches and an impressive 65 clean sheets.
He emerged as the second most-used foreign goalkeeper in the club’s history, trailing only behind the Senegalese Tony Sylva.
As Lille reminisces about this historic achievement, Enyeama’s impact on the club and his status as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Ligue 1 history remain indelible.
