Enyeama eager for century, hails NFF

Vincent Enyeama has expressed his delight at plans by the Nigeria Football Federation to honour him on the occasion of his 100th cap for Nigeria.

The Super Eagles goalkeeper and skipper, who currently has   99 caps for his country, will reach his century when Nigeria take on Bolivia in an friendly affair at the Akwa Ibom Stadium on March 26.

Enyeama will become only the second Nigerian to reach the century mark.

Former captain Joseph Yobo was the first player to reach the milestone in 2014 in a World Cup match against Argentina, which the Eagles lost 3-2.

“Nothing matches being recognised by your own country. I am very excited at the prospect of reaching 100 caps, and more so at the decision by the NFF to honour me on the day,” the Lille custodian was quoted as saying in the NFF’s official website on Friday.

“The NFF media department has also been speaking with me and I have followed the publicity they have generated about it. It is a delight. I am also excited by the fact that it will happen in Uyo, my hometown. What a great honour.”

Of his 99 caps so far, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner told www.thenff.com that the World Cup match against Argentina FIFA World Cup match at the Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg on June 12, 2010 as his best so far.

“I can tell you that is one match I will always remember. I was highly inspired, and although we lost, I was selected the Man of the Match. We lost 1-0 but Lionel Messi did not score. That was some sort of joy for me,” the 32-year-old, who represented Nigeria at the 2002 Korea/Japan, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014 World Cups, said.

The former Hapoel Tel Aviv keeper, who won the CAF Champions League with Enyimba in 2003, 2004, helped the Super Eagles to third place finishes in the 2004, 2006, 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

He helped Hapoel Tel Aviv win the Israeli Premier League and progressed to guide   Maccabi Tel-Aviv to the elite title in 2013.