Opinion: Is Enyeama really an upgrade on Super Eagle’s goalkeeping situation?

There is a conversation about Enyeama's return to the Super Eagles but is he really needed?

The goalkeeping situation in the Super Eagles has been a worry ever since regular first-choice goalie Carl Ikeme suffered the unfortunate leukaemia ailment which has threatened to cut short his career.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper had been the undisputed first choice for Nigeria  and many Nigerians where filled with excitement that a long-term replacement for Enyeama had been found, that joy was unfortunately cut short.

Since then the goalkeeping position has been chopping and changing hands until it was handed to Ikechukwu Ezenwa, our third choice at the time.

He was in goal for some of Nigeria's World Cup qualification matches, providing a safe pair of hands in victories against Cameroon and Zambia.

 

Even though he was at fault for the penalty conceded against Cameroon at home, his performances have been part of a solid defensive unit.

This brings me to the question, does Enyeama still have a role to play with the super eagles?

Don’t get me wrong Enyeama has served Nigeria so well, wearing the colours of the country with pride and playing for the team with his hearts on his sleeve, with some excellent performances to boot.

His performance against Argentina at the 2010 World Cup remains memorable.

In that game, he prevented Nigeria from suffering an embarrassing defeat pulling off some brilliant saves to stop Lionel Messi from scoring.

He finished the game as Man of the Match.

Enyeama was also crucial for the Super Eagles in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title win, earning himself a spot on the team of the tournament.

Despite all the positives Enyeama brings to the team, a recall might not be the best for the team.

The veteran goalkeeper has seen it all and done it all in the colours of Nigeria since he made his debut in 2002. He has won the biggest prize in African football and this might just be the right time to give others a chance to stake their claim.

Considering his age, Enyeama is clearly past his best, losing his place in the Lille team in the process after being deemed surplus to requirement.

 

What good would it be to the country to take an inactive and declining goalie to the World Cup when there are fit and hungrier younger goalkeepers waiting for the call?

Stability should be the priority for the Eagle’s gaffer heading into such an important competition as the World Cup especially in the area of defence.

Why would Genort Rohr want to change the defence that served him so well during the qualification campaign?

Stability leads to better understanding, and maintaining this back four till the world cup would make us a stronger proposition.

Let’s not forget the saying in football that you don’t win anything without a good and stable defence.

Also, in addition, recalling the veteran goalie could lead to a steep decline in the confidence of the goalkeepers we currently have in the team.

 

Such a recall could also lead to confusion within the Super Eagle’s camp in relation to the captaincy issue.

It could cause a division within the team as Enyeama would expect to resume duties as the regular first-team skipper and this may not go down well with current captain Mikel Obi.

Would you rather have Enyeama in the team or leave him out and continue to give the younger and fitter goalkeepers a chance?