retirement from the national team is very sad, as he finally
opened up on the incidents that have shaken the Super
Eagles since Tuesday.
Enyeama, the country’s most capped player, announced his
retirement via Instagram on Thursday after alleging insults
to his mother as well as being thrown out of the national
camp by hotel security in Verviers, Belgium.
However, coach Oliseh has debunked the claims, stating
that he was surprised by the goalkeeper’s allegations on
social media, something that has turned many fans against
him as the team lost 2-0 to Congo DR in a friendly on
Thursday night.
In an interview on Brila FM, Oliseh stated that the
goalkeeper had insisted on airing his views during dinner
after Tuesday’s training, despite the coach’s instruction to
stand down and allow his observations be discussed at
another time.
The goalkeeper was unhappy with the fact that he was
overlooked as captain of the side in favour of Ahmed Musa
during a routine meet and greet with the Nigerian
ambassador to Belgium after their work out.
The coach said he told Enyeama to either remain quiet or
excuse himself from dinner to enable him address the other
players. Oliseh stated that a few of the senior players
attempted to calm the goalkeeper before leading him away
from the room.
He said he didn’t call security to take him out and was
surprised to find out that Enyeama claimed on Instagram
that he was thrown out by security and that his mother had
been insulted.
“How can I insult your mother? Never did the issue of
Vincent Enyeama’s mother come up, ” said Oliseh, while
stating that Musa and John Obi Mikel came to his room to
apologize on behalf of the goalkeeper and he had forgiven
the Lille player.
The coach said that Nigeria Football Federation president
Amaju Pinnick mediated in the crisis and asked Enyeama to
apologise to the coach but he didn’t.
Enyeama decided to leave camp on Thursday following the
invitation of young goalkeeper Dele Alampasu as back up for
the two goalkeepers in case of any injuries. Oliseh said
there was joke about preparing goalkeeper coach Alloy Agu
as back up in case the need arose.
"He said because I invited Alampasu, he’s going,” Oliseh
said.
Enyeama then announced his retirement from the team after
13 years in a very emotional post on Instagram, stating that
“it’s been the most trying period of my life”.
“It’s very sad,” Oliseh said about the goalkeeper’s retirement
while hoping that the team gets back on its feet soon
enough for Sunday’s friendly against Cameroon.
Despite the 2-0 defeat to Congo, Oliseh took positives from
the performances of Mikel and debutant Alex Iwobi, while
stating that the reason for the friendly matches is so that the
team can have better understanding ahead of the upcoming
World Cup qualifiers
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