Uyo, Nigeria — Vincent Enyeama, former Nigeria goalkeeper, don talk say he believe say Super Eagles go sabi rise from their current struggle and secure their spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As e stand now, dem dey fourth for Group C of the African qualifiers, with just seven points after six matches. South Africa dey lead the pack with 13 points, followed by Rwanda and Benin Republic wey both get eight points. Na wah!
Despite the wahala, Enyeama remain positive, saying, “My stand na say Nigeria go qualify. Nigeria dey always come out from fire. Dem go beat South Africa, dem go beat Rwanda, and dem go still qualify. I dey cross my fingers for that.” Dis guy no carry mouth to talk at all o!
Enyeama, wey carry Nigeria go win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and don represent the country for three World Cups, don hang his boot for international football since 2015 with 101 caps, na im record for that time. Dem be serious business, my people!
But the path to qualification no too clear now because South Africa fit lose points for fielding ineligible player against Lesotho back in March – as if wahala no dey enough! Nigeria still get critical matches ahead: dem go travel go Bloemfontein to face the South African side before dem come back home to play Rwanda for Uyo in September and finish off with Lesotho and Benin Republic for October.
Enyeama no wan hear any excuses. He dey sure say di talent and determination of the team go shine through like never before. “When things dey tough, Nigeria dey find way to bounce back. I sure say na so e go be this time,” he add. Abeg, make we no forget say beyond di pitch, he don also appeal to Nigeria Football Federation and government make dem support retired players wey dey hustle for business.
Now wey e don clock 43, dis former Lille and Enyimba goalkeeper don set up Vinpys Hotel for Uyo, where he dey employ almost 100 staff. “If government go fit empower people like me, e go help everybody,” he talk as e sprinkle some palm oil for the matter. No be small thing!
He dey look for patronage from government say no be money he wan collect. “I no dey ask for money o, I just want make dem dey patronize my hotel, send clients if dem hungry, make dem chill for di pool, or stay for di rooms. That way, I fit keep empowering more people,” he explain, no dey play at all.
Enyeama use him shop as example, saying him dey inject close to 50 million naira for purchases every month, wey dey show say retired footballers fit still contribute to economy if dem get correct backing. “I dey invest heavily for di country, dey pay tax, dey send revenue back to di government. Di only way wey government fit help na to support Vinpys Hotels and others like am by sending people to patronize us,” he add.
Na true o: Enyeama dey highlight how important am be for government and individuals to support retired players to avoid poverty after their football career. “You go see many players wey don earn plenty money, but within five or ten years after dem don stop to play, dem go dey struggle. No be say dem no try, but dem no get support. Nobody fit waka alone,” he conclude, and you fit hear di seriousness for him voice.
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