The International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) has honoured Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama as the greatest African goalkeeper in history.
Enyeama was selected above other legendary African goalkeepers such as Joseph-Antoine Bell, Thomas N’Kono, and Essam El-Hadary
The decision, according to the body, was reached on the basis of the former Super Eagles goalie’s outstanding performances for both club and country in a career spanning over a decade.
Enyeama plied his trade in several clubs, from Enyimba International in Nigeria, to Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Lille, among others.
Apart from his outstanding performance in three World Cup tournaments, the former Super Eagles captain represented the Nigerian national team and played a key role in the team’s victory in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
During his active days in his clubs, he achieved the feat of being the best goalkeeper in the Israeli Premier League three times and the best goalkeeper in Ligue 1 in the 2013-2014 season.
Enyeama also holds the record for the most clean sheets in a season in the French top flight, with 21 shutouts in 2013-2014.
In Nigeria, he was consistent in his career and this earned him the honour of the greatest goalkeeper in Nigeria football history for the Super Eagles.
The IFFHS All-Time Ranking, covering the period from 1987 to 2022, includes the best goalkeepers from other regions, such as Gianluigi Buffon (Italy) for UEFA, Jose Luis Chilavert (Paraguay) for CONMEBOL, Mohamed Abdullaziz Al-Deayea (Saudi Arabia) for AFC, Keylor Navas (Costa Rica) for CONCACAF, and Mark Bosnich (Australia) for Oceania.
