Nigerian Keeper Vincent Enyeama Speaks On New Award

Vincent Enyeama is greatly proud of becoming the 1st goalkeeper to be French League 1 African Player of the Season.

Being the first Nigerian to be named French league 1 African Player of the Season, he is also the first of Nigerians to win the Prize Marc-Vivien Foe, that was named after Cameroon midfielder, after his unfortunate death of a heart attack in 2003 at the age of 28.

Vincent Enyama was voted to win ahead of players like defender of Toulouse’s Ivorian – Serge Aurier, defender of Lyon’s Cameroon player Henri Bedimo and even winner of last year from Gabon – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

The people who vote in this award are 60 journalists from various media branches and the sponsors of the award are RFI – Radio France Internationale and TV news channel – France 24.

Enyeama revealed in his interview to BBC Sport: "It's amazing, a great honour and I deeply appreciate it. I must first give glory to God, my team-mates, family and our beautiful fans for their remarkable support.”

He added later on; "It's a reward for team effort and having great people in front of me. Together we've endured a tough but interesting season."

The player of Super Eagle in this season played all 37 of league games for his club Lille and conceded only 25 goals.

He claimed also that he has hopes that this award will lead to more recognition for goalkeepers. Enyeama claims that it is not easy for any goalkeeper to win this award and is hoping that this will help ‘open the doors’ for others.

However, Vincent Enyeama, a goalkeeper that managed to stay 1,062 minutes without conceding a single goal in French top flight, did not win the French Ligue 1 award Goalkeeper of the Year. While he was a great performer for team Lille this season, another great player, Salvatore Sirigu claimed the prize.

Enyeama commented on this saying that it would have been great if he won, still he was not going to let it disappoint him.

Enyeama is supposed to be among first choices for Super Eagles at Brazil tournament.