NFF insists Enyeama has 99 caps

T

he 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.