Vincent Enyeama
The
Nigeria Football Federation has re-confirmed that Super Eagles
goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, will win his 100th cap for Nigeria if he
features against Bolivia in an international friendly billed to hold in
Uyo on March 26.
The federation, which was responding to
media reports that the Eagles captain had played only 98 games, said on
Monday that Enyeama had won 99 caps and will earn his 100th when the
Eagles file out against Bolivia at the Akwa Ibom Stadium next week.
The FA statement read, “There is no doubt
that a lot of people have done extensive research on this matter.
However, we insist that he has won 99 caps. Some persons appear to have
omitted from Enyeama’s file, the Nigeria/Jamaica friendly match at
Loftus Road, London on May 18, 2002, when Enyeama came in for Ike
Shorounmu at the start of the second half.”
Record keeping remains a huge challenge
in Nigeria’s football system and this has often created controversies
over the number of caps won by players. A similar disagreement came up
just before former captain of the Super Eagles Joseph Yobo celebrated
his 100th cap for the country.
At the African Youth Championship holding
in Dakar, Senegal, Nigeria’s U20 side the Flying Eagles have said they
are prepared to battle Ghana for a place in the final.
Coach Manu Garba and his players
confirmed their leadership of Group A with a 2-2 draw with Cote d’Ivoire
on Saturday. Nigeria will face Ghana on Wednesday as the countries
continue their soccer rivalry.
Manu said on Monday in Dakar that his
players were not worried about the pedigree of the Ghanaians. The former
Golden Eaglets coach said it would not be enough to return to Lagos
with just the World Cup ticket.
He said, “We are in Senegal to qualify
for the World Cup as African champions and if you want to be champions,
you have to be prepared to meet any team. So we’re ready.”
He explained that his team struggled to
find their rhythm in the first half against Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday
because they made four changes to their starting team and had to concede
two soft goals.
“But we have moved on from that
match. Every game is different and we expect to put up a different kind
of fight in the match against Ghana,” Manu said.
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