Nicknamed "The Cat", Vincent Enyeama is one of the most popular players in the Nigerian National Squad by both fans in his country and coaches. For several years he had been the undisputed first choice by Nigeria's coaches in goal for the squad. Born on August 29, 1982, he had been the top goalkeeper for the Super Eagles since he took over from Ike Shorunmu in his country's final match at the 2002 Fifa World Cup.
Beginning his soccer work at an early age of 16 with the semi-professional club Ibom Stars, he prolonged to enhance his skills until he was signed by the major club Enyimba Aba where he played for three seasons from 2001-2004. During his stint at that club, he won the Caf Champions League twice. However, he was all the time supplanted before penalty shootouts by his coach. Not knowing the real think behind this, but accepting the fact that he probably was not good enough for penalty kick stoppages, he work doubly hard and mentally trained himself to get ready for such events and not falter. He moved to Fc Heartland for the 2005 season before transferring to Israel.
In Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, a minor league club in Israel, he had a very efficient first season showing his feline-like bodily abilities and athletic skills. In his first season there, his contributions on the pitch helped his team qualify for the Israel State Cup and perform fourth place in the Israeli Premier League which, in turn, fine the team to the 2006 Uefa Cup. He stayed with the club for two seasons and in 2007 moved to Hapoel Tel Aviv where he is currently connected.
Although his team did not have a good 2007-08 season, Vincent Enyeama prolonged to grow and enhance not only his goalkeeping skills but also his leadership skills as well. At one time when his club wasn't performing well, he wrote his team a letter request them to work together and fight for each other and the club. He had not only prolonged to enhance as a player but also a leader which helped his team not only avoid relegation and but also allege for the state cup final. His consistent improvements are results of a superb training system that contain not only bodily conditioning but reasoning training as well to keep his focus intact every second of a match.
His consistent execution for his industrial clubs earned him a substitute spot for the 2002 World Cup where he played for only one match which was against England. During that last group game, he steadied is nerves and kept his composure to keep a clean sheet and recovery a draw against the powerhouse English squad. Since then he became his coaches' top choice for goalkeeper when Ike Shorunmu retired from international soccer.
He had consistently contained his country's goal During the 2004 and 2006 African Cup of Nations. He had a very memorable 2010 sequel of the tournament when he stopped three penalties in the quarterfinals against Tunisia but unfortunately lost to Cote d'Ivore in the semi-final.
The goalkeeper who had been supplanted before penalty shootouts early in his work became the hero for many of Nigeria's international games.
In the first group stage match against Argentina in the 2010 World Cup, had a superb execution by stopping and recovery a collection of shots from some the top goal-scorers in the world such as Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain but could not save the game-winning header from Gabriel Heinze. Still, with that loss, he was named Man of the Match for his spectacular performance.
Even in the face of defeat, an athlete who had shown great resilience and desire against a mightier opponent is all the time given due recognition. Enyeama, who chose to be good than who he was before by consistently learning, is one goalkeeper who has etched his name as one of the best in the world of soccer.
One of the Best Goal Keepers in World Cup 2010 - Vincent Enyeama