Keshi praises Enyeama’s decade of service

Coach Stephen Keshi has praised goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for his decade of service to the Nigerian cause.

Enyeama, stand-in captain of the national team, was in celebration mood this week as he officially marked a decade of being a player in the national team.

Enyeama was called up for the 2002 Fifa World Cup inJapanandSouth Koreaby Adegboye Onigbinde to be third choice but by the time the tournament ended, he had become number one.

Keshi, while commending Enyeama’s stay in the team, used the avenue to challenge the players that are new to the national team set-up to try and emulate the goalkeeper.

“Enyeama has just done ten years but we have John Utaka who is over eleven years in the national team and they have been consistent in their national and club careers,” Keshi said.

“That is what I want from players who are just starting. In ten years’ time I want to see most of us here showing the younger ones how to be national icons like we did in our days,” Keshi added.

Enyeama was the third goalkeeper but Coach Onigbinde gave him the goalkeeper’s slot inNigeria’s last group match againstEngland. The match ended 0-0 but the former Enyimba shot stopper has not looked back since. He has been to four Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two World Cups.