European football governing body UEFA has dusted their record books to celebrate unarguably Nigeria’s greatest-ever goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, Soccernet.ng reports.
In a post on their official website, UEFA recognised some of the finest shot-stoppers to impact the Champions League significantly.
Only three African goalkeepers were mentioned in the different categories under consideration, with Enyeama taking his place beside Cameroon’s André Onana and Senegal’s Edouard Mendy.
Former Super Eagles captain Enyeama featured as one of only four goalkeepers to have scored goals in the Champions League to date.
Enyeama found the net from the penalty spot for Hapoel Tel-Aviv in their 1-3 home defeat to Lyon in September 2010.
Only goalkeepers Ivan Provedel, Sinan Bolat, and Hans-Jörg Butt have ever managed to match that feat.
Manchester United goalkeeper Onana has kept the most clean sheet in a single season of Europe’s premier club competition. The Cameroon international had eight shutouts for Inter Milan last term.
Former Chelsea goalie Mendy appears in that category more than once, as he had the most clean sheets in the 2021/22 season (5) and the 2020/21 campaign (9).
Aside from his Champions League record, Enyeama reigns supreme as Africa’s premier goalscoring goalkeeper.
The charismatic and reliable Nigerian stalwart found the back of the net on 20 occasions throughout his career, with ten goals registered during his tenure with Enyimba and eight while donning the colors of Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Enyeama’s achievements include three Nigerian Premier League titles, two CAF Champions League triumphs, two Israeli Premier League victories, and two Israel State Cup conquests.
Furthermore, he received esteemed accolades such as the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé and the title of the Greatest African Goalkeeper of all Time by IFFHS earlier this year.
Enyeama’s crowning glory arrived in 2013 when he played an instrumental role in Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations victory, earning a place in the Team of the Tournament.
