In celebration of sportsmanship and achievement, the University of Uyo will come alive this weekend as it bestows honorary degrees upon former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Enyeama Vincent, at its 26th, 27th, and 28th combined convocation ceremonies.
Enyeama, now 41 years old, is set to receive this prestigious honor alongside two other eminent Nigerians. The recognition comes after his outstanding contributions to the world of sports and his remarkable representation of Nigeria on the international stage. Having played for renowned teams such as Ibom Stars, Enyimba, and Lille, Enyeama’s talent and dedication have made him a beloved figure in the realm of football.
Over 20 years, he has played for Ibom Stars, Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Lille and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Enyeama’s journey in football was not just marked by his exceptional skills as a goalkeeper, but also by his leadership qualities. He served as the captain of the Nigerian football team from 2013 until his retirement in 2015, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. With an impressive 101 caps, he stands as Nigeria’s most capped player of all time, a testament to his enduring commitment to the game and his country.
With 101 caps, he is Nigeria’s most capped player of all time.
Despite his below-average height for a goalkeeper, Enyeama is popularly regarded as one of the greatest African goalkeepers of all time and of his era.
In March this year, he was ranked the greatest African goalkeeper in history selected above other legendary African goalkeepers such as Joseph-Antoine Bell, Thomas N’Kono, and Essam El-Hadary by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics.
The former Super Eagles captain represented the Nigerian national team in three World Cup tournaments and played a key role in the team’s victory in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Enyeama had a decorated career as a goalkeeper with numerous individual awards including being named the best goalkeeper in the Israeli Premier League three times and the best goalkeeper in Ligue 1 in the 2013-2014 season.
He also holds the record for the most clean sheets in a season in the French top flight, with 21 shutouts in 2013-2014.
Enyeama is regarded as the greatest goalkeeper in Nigeria football history with his consistent impresssive performance in goal for the Super Eagles for many years.
