Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama named African Player of the season in French Ligue 1

Posted by wasaafrica at 9:24 PM


Nigerian keeper Vincent Enyeama was named the best African player in French Ligue 1 on Monday. According to Lille's official site, the 31-year-old Nigerian Keeper  who succeeded Gabonese Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Dortmund was named African Player of the season in French Ligue 1 over Ivorian defender Serge Aurier (Toulouse) and Cameroon's Henri Bedimo (Lyon) in the FRI and France 24 poll.

The award is decided by 60 journalists from all branches of the media and is co-sponsored by Radio France Internationale (RFI) and France24 TV news channel.

Enyeama became the first Nigerian and African to win the Marc-Vivien Foe Prize, an award named after the late Cameroonian international midfielder who died at at the young age of 28 in 2003.

The very experienced goalkeeper has been splendid all season long with his side Lille and even helped them reach third place on the French table behind league leaders PSG and Monaco. Enyeama has played all 37 league games for his club conceding a total of 25 goals all season. He maintained 21-game clean sheet this season before he was  finally beaten at Bordeaux after a total of 1061 minutes.

Enyeama finished second place in the Ligue 1 keepers just behind Salvatore Sirigu who claimed the League title with PSG.

In a recent interview with BBC Sports, the World Cup bound keeper was excited at the news of becoming the first African to be named Ligue 1 Player of the season, an excited Enyeama said:
“It's amazing, a great honor and I deeply appreciate it. I must first give glory to God, my team-mates, family and our beautiful fans for their remarkable support. Its a reward for team effort and having great people in front of me. Together we've endured a tough but interesting season”

Enyeama is obviously the number 1 choice in the Super Eagles World Cup squad as it is certain the co-captain of the team will be the number 1 pick in coach Keshi's 30-man World Cup provisional list




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