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Nigeria Coach Gernot Rohr Says Door Is Open For Vincent Enyeama To Return

Nigeria Coach Gernot Rohr Says Door Is Open For Vincent Enyeama To Return

Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr has publicly stated that a return to the Super Eagles is a possibility for internationally retired goalkeeper and former captain, Vincent Enyeama.

The German coach opened the door to his return, making it clear that he is welcome to reignite his national team career if he is willing to work hard and be humble.

The Nigerian shot-stopper decided to retire from the Super Eagles in October 2015 following the revelation that then coach Sunday Oliseh had chosen for Ahmed Musa to captain the side, rather than the veteran keeper.

Enyeama walked out of the squad ahead of their friendly international against DR Congo in Belgium, which they subsequently lost 2-0.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper, who plays for Lille in the French Ligue 1 is his country’s most capped player with 101 appearances for the Super Eagles, having replaced former captain Joseph Yobo in 2014.

Speaking to BBCSport at the time, he said, “It’s been the most difficult period of my life, losing my mother and the emotion. After playing for the Super Eagles for 13 years, you never think that it would end like this but the time [to retire from international football] has come.”

“There is never a good time to leave but I will always be a fan of the Super Eagles and Nigerian football,” the keeper concluded.

The door is open

Having begun his international career for the Super Eagles with a debut against Kenya in 2002, the goalkeeper became a mainstay for the national team, quickly developing into a leader who was key to their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title victory.

Now that Rohr is in charge of the side, the subject of a possible return to the Super Eagle fold has been mentioned, and the coach was quick to ensure clarity on the matter.

“The door is open for Vincent Enyeama in the national team,”, Rohr told Tomiwababalola. “I think he had a problem with the federation, so he wanted someone to call him before coming. They called him or they didn’t reach him I don’t know,” the coach added.

“We have three goalkeepers at the moment but we will welcome everybody who will respect our work rate, solidarity and humility. And not expect special favours. So the door is opened also to Enyeama,” he concluded.