Nigeria’s Super Eagles Goal Keeper & Captain, Vincent
Enyeama hopes to bow out on a high after confirming that the 2017 Africa Cup of
Nations (AFCON) in Gabon will be his last. The 32-year-old goalkeeper, who
plays his club football for French side Lille, made his first appearance
against Kenya in May 2002 and has proceeded to win 100 caps during his
professional career.
Enyeama participated mainly is the Super Eagle’s 2013 Nations
Cup win in South Africa and he hopes to repeat this victory in 2017.
“It crossed my mind to leave after the World Cup in Brazil but crucially now I want to leave on a high by going all the way with my country on a successful ride. It's impossible to play football forever and the next tournament in Gabon will be my last one," Enyeama told BBC Sport.
"I've played in two finals, lost in 2004, won in 2013 and to win in 2017 is how I hope to be remembered. But more significantly we must not get ahead of ourselves because we need to qualify first."
The Super Eagles have been drawn in one of the
toughest-looking groups for the 2017 Nations Cup qualifiers, alongside
seven-time champions Egypt, Chad and Tanzania. But as the Super Eagles host
Chad in Kaduna on Saturday, Enyeama insists they must prevent another troubled
campaign.
"You can never underestimate any opponent in African football and we must treat Chad like other top oppositions in world football, some of our fans are still upset and the only way to earn back their respect is to give them a reason to believe again. We are all determined to qualify for the Nations Cup, and after the tournament I can say a proper goodbye” he said."It crossed my mind to leave after the World Cup in Brazil but crucially now I want to leave on a high by going all the way with my country on a successful ride."
Enyeama has played in five Nations Cup tournaments for three-time
African champions Nigeria in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013 and he was part of
the Nigeria squad at the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cup tournaments.
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