By Toby Prince
Nigeria goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, is considering taking a bow from international football following recent developments in the national team.
Enyeama was stripped of his captaincy by Coach Sunday Oliseh in a rather controversial circumstance on Tuesday in Belgium and the Lille shot-stopper now alleges he could “step aside in the interest of the country “.
The player revealed his shock at the decision and demanded fair hearing from the coach who objected – ordering the 33-year-old to be booted out of camp by security personnel. .
“I was surprised. So I stood up to explain my position and ask for an explanation, but the coach asked me to sit down,” a bitter Enyeama told ESPN FC.
“I insisted on speaking because I felt that with the years of dedicated service I have given to the country I deserve at least the respect of giving my own side.
“But he told me that either the whole team would leave the room for me, or I would have to leave the room for the whole team.
“There have been a lot of incidents these last few months. I don’t need it, the team does not need it, so maybe the best thing might be to step aside in the interest of the country so that the team can focus on football instead of distractions,” the former Enyimba man said.
A message he later posted on Instagram, hinting at insult to his late mother, might have sealed his international fate.
He wrote: “After 13 years on national service, having this smiles on my face and this passion in my heart,”
“Through the billows, the waves of the ocean, the tears of defeat, the sound of rejoicing from victory chants. Now the thought of being stripped naked and security agents throwing me out breaks me completely.
“I will take anything but not insult to my dead mother,” he said.
With 101 caps Enyeama is the Super Eagles most capped player after making his debut against Kenya in May 2002.
