The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has congratulated Super Eagles former goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, for the honorary doctorate degree bestowed on him, yesterday, by the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Enyeama was honoured by the institution at its convocation ceremony yesterday. NFF Secretary General, Mohammad Sanusi, told The Guardian yesterday that Enyeama’s recognition by the University of Uyo shows that the ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper’s service to the nation has not been forgotten by Nigerians.

“The honorary degree given to Enyeama is a clear testimony that anything a sports personality is doing during his career is being watched by society. Enyeama will be delighted that his service to the country is well appreciated.

“The award would also motivate other footballers, goalkeepers and sports personalities to continue giving their best to the nation, understanding that they will always be honoured at some point during or after their career,” he said.

The University of Uyo listed Enyeama, alongside wife of Nigeria’s former Defence Minister, Senator Daisy Theophilus Danjuma, and former vice chairman of ExxonMobil, Mr. Udom Inoyo, for honorary doctorate degrees at its combined 26th, 27th and 28th convocation ceremony held yesterday at its campus.

Over 136 students of the school were also awarded various categories of degrees at the ceremony. Enyeama, who was born 41 years ago, played for Ibom Stars, Enyimba, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Lille and Maccabi Tel Aviv football clubs in a career that spanned over 20 years.

The former Super Eagles captain was a member of the Nigerian national team from 2002 to October 2015, serving as the leader of the team from 2013 until his retirement from international football in 2015.

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 one of the greatest goalkeepers in Nigeria’s football history with his consistent impressive performance in goal for the Super Eagles for many years. (Guardian)

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