The New Zealand official drew fierce criticism for his decision to disallow Edin Dzeko’s early strike during Saturday’s Group F clash in Cuiaba, Brazil
Browsing: Vincent Enyeama
Osaze came off the bench to add bite to the Super Eagles attack against Iran in Sao Paulo
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the NFSC did not arrive early enough to be part of the stadium crowd at Curitiba when the Eagles drew goalless with Iran.
The Nigeria/Iran match was a Group F opening game for both sides
Miscued shots from distance and crosses sliced out for goal-kicks summed up a dire display from both teams, although there is no doubt Team Melli, under the stewardship of Carlos Queiroz, were the happier of the two nations
Meanwhile, the Big boss opted for Victor Moses, Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike to attack for the Eagles
Stoke City goal poacher, Osaze Odemwingie; veteran striker, Shola Ameobi; and Victor Moses are favoured ahead of Emenike to lead the Eagles attack against the Yankees
Greece had the majority of the opportunities in the first half too, with Lazaros Christodoulopoulos shooting a 30-yard rocket that just went high in the 21st minute and Loannis Fetfatzidis dancing around in the box in the 28th minute before getting stoned by Enyeama, who finished with four saves
Home-based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, dimunitive midfielder Joel Obi, South Africa 2013 hero Sunday Mba, former U-23 star Nosa Igiebor and 2014 CHAN most valuable player Ejike Uzoenyi also miss out on the trip to South America
With the list to be read on Monday, our source at the Super Eagles camp in the United States of America hinted that despite the players giving a good account of themselves in training, they are not sure of making the final squad to Brazil
Enyeama, who is fresh off winning the Marc-Vivien Foe award given to the best African player in France’s Ligue 1, and following up on his impressive performances for the Super Eagles at South Africa 2010, has high expectations
The Nigerian international has achieved a remarkable year with varying success, with Lille clinching a preliminary place in the Champions League.
Enyeama, who spoke from his France base, said he was delighted that he was picked as Africa’s best player in France and has been totally enthralled by the huge support of Nigerians over the award, promising that he will not fail the country during Mundial 2014 in Brazil
The 31-year-old, who is set to feature at the World Cup finals for his country in June, has played all 37 championship games for his club, Lille, this season, conceding just 25 goals
But it has not just been Enyeama who has excelled: Simon Kjaer joined the club in the summer and has been reborn, playing a vital role in a defence that has kept an impressive 14 clean sheets – more than anyone else in Europe
The 31-year-old has kept a remarkable 13 clean sheets in 15 matches so far this season and needs only not to concede for the first four minutes of the match against Marseille to break the record of 948 minutes without conceding a goal
Enyeama, who LFP named best player in October, is now 855 minutes without a goal conceded
After Paris-Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti claimed the first Player of the Month award of the 2013/14 season in September, Lille ‘keeper, Vincent Enyeama, has swept aside his competition for the second gong of the season, claiming 71 per cent of the vote to pip Zlatan Ibrahimovic (19 per cent) and Edinson Cavani (10 per cent) to the honour handed out by the UNFP (National Union of Professional Footballers) and sports daily L’Equipe
Nigeria went into the contest fresh from qualifying for their fifth World Cup finals and proved worthy opponents
The team arrived London Heathrow Airport at about 4:10pm London time, which is 5:10 pm Nigerian time, and was promptly checked into the Hilton Hotel in Cobham, by organisers of the friendly
The former Eagles first choice in goal also disclosed that the competition among the goalkeepers is so fierce and he is happy that this would bring the best out of the three keepers and the team in general