Vincent Enyeama: Staggering Stats Prove Why Nigerian Goalkeeper Is Africa’s Greatest Ever

• Vincent Enyeama was named Africa's greatest goalkeeper of all time by the IFFHS
• The former Nigerian international edged other African goalkeepers such as Joseph-Antoine Bell, Thomas N’Kono, and Essam El-Hadary
• Statistics have shown that the former Enyimba International goalie deserved the prestigious honour

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has been named the greatest African goalkeeper of all time by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

The incredible number-one shot-stopper began his career in 1999 with Ibom Stars and then also played at local clubs Enyimba and Iwuanyanwu Nationale.

In 2005, Israeli outfit Bnei Yehuda snapped him up and after two years, he joined rival club Hapoel Tel Aviv.

He became so famous during his time with French Ligue 1 outfit Lille where he shattered a number of records, setting his own statistics.

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Club achievements

Enyeama started winning laurels right from the time he was with Enyimba. He helped the People’s Elephants win the Nigerian Premier League for three consecutive seasons - 2001, 2002 and 2003.

During the 2009/2010 season, the Nigerian international won the Israeli Premier League with Hapoel Tel Aviv.

In the following two seasons, he helped the club win the Israel State Cup back-to-back. Again, he won the Israeli Premier League with Maccabi Tel-Aviv during the 2012/2013 season before moving to France.

While at French club Lille between 2011 and 2018, Enyeama smashed a number of records, setting his own.

The Super Eagles goalkeeper Enyeama kept 11 consecutive clean sheets in Ligue 1 matches during the first half of 2013/2014 season – with a total of 1,176 minutes without conceding a goal.

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He achieved that with the brilliance of his two centre-backs, Marko Basa and Simon Kaer. Enyeama was presented with the prestigious Prix Marc-Vivien Foe Award.

International career

Enyeama was Nigeria’s most-capped player until Ahmed Musa overtook him in 2021. The former Enyimba of Aba goalie made 101 appearances for the national team.

He made his competitive debut and kept a clean sheet against England in the third group match at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The Aba-born star was part of the Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 under the tutelage of Stephen Keshi.

Personal honours

1. CAF Champions League Player of the Year: 2003, 2004
2. Footballer of the Year in Israel: 2009
3. UNFP Player of the Month: October 2013, November 2013
4. Prix Marc-Vivien Foe: 2014
5. Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2004, 2013
6. Goalkeeper of the year Nigeria Pitch Awards: 2013, 2014
7. King of the pitch Nigeria Pitch Awards: 2014
8. Goal Nigeria Player of the Year: 2014
9. IFFHS CAF Men's Team of the Decade 2011–2020
10. IFFHS Greatest African Goalkeeper of all Time.

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Top 10 Super Eagles Goalkeepers of All Time

Sports Brief earlier reported that former Vincent Enyeama emerged as No.1 in the top ten goalkeepers who featured for the Super Eagles.

Shooting Stars icon Best Ogedengbe is the third on the list as he was part of the Ibadan-based club during their glory years in the 1970s.

Ogedegbe inspired the ‘Oluyole Warriors’ to league and cup successes and their glorious African Cup Winners Cup campaign.