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Anthony Nlebem
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has named former Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama as one of the four greatest African goalkeepers of all time.
Mendy named Ex-Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva, Cameroon duo of Thomas N’kono and Carlos Kameni, and Super Eagles hero Vincent Enyeama as the best four shot-stoppers Africa has ever produced.
Mendy, who won the 2021 AFCON with Senegal in February 2022, says Africa had produced many gifted goalkeepers over time, but none can be compared to Enyeama and the three others.
“The greatest African goalkeeper of all time? I think that in Africa, we are lucky to have had a lot of goalkeepers marking their period,” Mendy said in an interview with Carré, a Cameroon Magazine.
“Goalkeepers love Thomas N’Kono, of course. But recently, we had Tony Sylva who is a true legend of Senegalese football.
“We had Carlos Kameni. We also had Vincent Enyeama.
“In several countries, we were lucky to have a lot of good goalkeepers. It is, therefore, very difficult to name just one.”
Enyeama started his career at Enyimba International and helped the Aba-based side to three consecutive league titles between 2001 and 2003.
Enyeama guided Enyimba to back-to-back CAF Champions League honours in 2003 and 2004.
Enyeama spent seven years in Israel, where he was regarded as the best goalkeeper of that era.
The former Bnei Yehuda ace won two league honours and was named the 2009 Footballer of the Year in Israel ahead of several star strikers and midfielders.
Enyeama joined Lille in 2011 and was on the payroll of the French club for seven years, during which he won the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé for the best African player in Ligue 1 in 2014.
Enyeama has also enjoyed a successful spell with the national team. The Kaduna-born goalie made his Super Eagles debut in 2002. He became the team’s first-choice number one gloves after the retirement of Ike Shorunmu.
Enyeama helped the Nigerian national team to third-place finishes in 2004, 2006, and 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
He guided the Super Eagles to the 2013 AFCON victory in South Africa.