SMW: Atlanta ’96 Dream Team To Light Up Campos Square Today

Campos Square will be agog today as the stars of Nigeria’s glorious Atlanta 96 Olympic football gold medal winning team take to the pitch, 20 years after they stunned the world.
The likes of Sunday Oliseh, Emmanuel Amunike, Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Taribo West and more will take on a Lagos All Stars team as part of celebrations to mark the event at Social Media Week Lagos.
“I think it is wonderful that SMW Lagos is doing this,” said Amunike. “Sometimes you don’t realize the importance of what you have achieved until much later, and I think that now we all appreciate what that meant to everyone.”
Among other events lined up are a gala night at SS 7 in Victoria Island to honour the heroes, while a series of panels and sessions on Thursday (February 25) will relive those wonderful moments in Nigeria’s football history.
“It is hard to think that 20 years have flown by so quickly,” said Victor Ikpeba, who would go on to win the African Player of the Year prize a year later. “It was a moment that none of us will ever forget and we appreciate SMW Lagos for putting this together.”
According to Obi Asika, Chairman and Co-Founder, SMW Lagos, “The victory of our team at Atlanta 96 was a seminal moment for Nigerian & African football, for us it is a privilege to host these Nigerian heroes and to celebrate them.”

NFF Says Emenike Has Right to Resignation

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has downplayed Emmanuel Emenike’s purported resignation from the national team. The federation said the player was only expressing his right as a professional player.
The power playing striker yesterday, apparently in response to recent happenings in the national team, announced his decision to quit the Super Eagles.
Emenike, who plays for  Al Ain on loan from Fenerbache, has endured a drought extending to 18 matches without a goal for the national team. He last scored for the national team in 2013 against Ethiopia in a World Cup qualifier.
He failed to hit the target in any of the four matches he was offered under new coach Sunday Oliseh, prompting some observers to speculate there was a of a fallout between both men.
In his reaction yesterday the player said; “It was not an easy decision. I didn’t think my international career would come to a sudden end, but that is life,” Emenike told BBC Sport.
“Sometimes it’s better to remove yourself from an environment that doesn’t suit you mentally and physically, this is what I have done.”
He added: “I also felt it was important that people hear directly from me to avoid a funny twist to the story.
“I wish to thank the coaches who gave me a chance, fellow players and in particular big thanks to all my fans for their unconditional support.”
But in his reaction yesterday, NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi said there was no big issue with a player quitting the team. Sanusi said that Emenike was only expressing his right as a player to bow out from a team he had served meritoriously.
Sanusi pleaded that the issue should not degenerate to a level it could constitute a distraction for the team as efforts were on to guarantee the Nigeria’s qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup in 2018.
“Honestly it is not an issue as Emenike has the right to resign. It is not unusual for a player to leave the stage after putting in many years of active service and performance. Our priority is to produce at least two players for every position and not to lose our focus to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup, Sanusi declared.

10-man Eaglets Break 20 million Chileans Hearts

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets has qualified for the Round of 16 at the FIFA Under 17 World Cup following their 5-1 bashing of the host, Chile early this morning at the Estadio SausalitoVina Del Mar.
Eaglets’ midfielder, Samuel Chukwueze stroke after 15 seconds from kick off to score Nigeria’s third fastest goal in the history of Under 17 World Cup.
Chukwueze equaled Wilson Oruma and Kanu Nwankwo’s records in the 1993 edition of the tournament. Both former players scored in the 9th and 39th seconds respectively.
Brazil’s Sadilo and Relso were the holders of the fastest goal records, who had scored in the 9th and 14th second since ’85 when the tournament kicked off.
Kelechi Nwakali made it two from the spot in the 17th minute of the tie.
The Chileans attempted to redeem their image in the second half by controlling play but their efforts were put at bay by the resolute Nigerians with the Nigerian goalkeeper Udoh making brilliant saves.
Chukwueze again hit the target in the 61 minute to put the game away from the opponents reach, just as Victor Osimhen double strikes in the 66th and 86th minutes sealed victory for Nigeria.
Marcelo Allende grabbed a consolatory goal for the hosts in the 81st minute which was too little, too late to pacify the eighteen million home fans.
What could have been the sixth goal was blown away by Nwakali, who shot wide from penalty spot which could have equaled France 6-1 win over New Zealand in one of the opening group games of the tournament.
Nigeria’s Funsho Bamgboye was sent off few minutes from the final whistle as the four-time World Champions were reduced to ten men.
Nigeria play her final group game against Croatia on Friday which is a mere formality as the Eaglets have won the group ahead of the Round of 16 stage of the competition.
The Eaglets lead the group with unassailable six points, Croatia has two points, while USA and Chile have one point respectively.

Eaglets Go For Chile’s Jugular

FIFA U17 World Cup champions Nigeria will battle host country Chile in a second group match as they look to book a place in the second round of the competition.

The game will kick off 12 midnight of October 20 Nigerian time.

The coach Emmanuel Amuneke-led team opened their campaign on Saturday with a 2-0 win over USA, while hosts Chile were held to a 1-1 draw by Croatia.

Amuneke said their winning start will further boost their confidence.

“It was important we won the first  game since it would boost our confidence going into the next game  against hosts Chile, so we are happy but will continue to work harder,” he said.

Nigeria have won the trophy four times and are now seeking a fifth title, while Chile are gunning for their first-ever title as their best performance at the competition was winning  bronze at Japan 1993, when they beat Poland 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Nigeria are participating in the competition for the 11th time, but this is Chile’s third appearance, having played at tournament in 1993  and  1997.

Both countries have not met at this level previously.

Former Golden Eaglets star Olanrewaju Kayode said the players should keep working hard game by game and not get carried away with the win over USA.

“They are good side. The win against USA is a good way to start the tournament.  They should keep working hard ahead of Chile game,” the Austria Wien striker said.

“They should forget about the win over the USA and look ahead to the next game.  I  am sure they will reach the stage they wanted.”

FIFA U-17 World Cup: Eaglets Vow To Defend Trophy

Golden Eaglets chief coach Emmanuel Amuneke shocked his audience in Satiago when he stated  that Nigeria was at the FIFA U-17 World  Cup in Chile to defend the trophy she won at the last edition.

Speaking to the media on arrival, Amuneke and striker Victor Osimhen were upbeat about the chances of the Eaglets successfully defending the trophy.

“We are here to defend the trophy.We are here with new players who want to write their own history and we are looking forward to our first game against the United States of America, which is very important for us.”

Osimhen echoed the sentiment of coach Amuneke, adding that they have been psyched up for the expected challenges as the defending champions. “We are here to win,” said Osimhen who is Golden Eaglets’ top scorer with 39 goals in 71 cumulative international and local matches.”Just as the coach said, we are here to write our own story as a team and players.”

Cup holders, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria,  arrived in Santiago, capital city of Chile as one of Africa’s four flag bearers at the 16th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals, which is to be hosted by Chile between October 17 and November 8.

Nigeria has won a record four times with the last being two years ago in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The defending champions flew into Santiago from their pre-World Cup camp base in Buenos Aires at 8:20pm local time on Tuesday (which is early hours of Wednesday in Nigeria (12:20 am), aboard a Lan Airlines flight.

Immediately after dinner at their Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Santiago-Vitacura, where they are accommodated for their opening match against USA on October 17, Amuneke reminded his wards to focus on nothing but football as the team seeks a fifth U-17 world title.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has praised the Embassy of Nigeria in Argentina for rallying behind the Golden Eaglets during their pre-World Cup preparation in Buenos Aires.

Siji Lagunju, Assistant Director (Technical), on behalf of the Federation, said the Nigerian Embassy ably led by Mr. Tiwalade Adelanwa, the Deputy Head of Mission, contributed immensely to the Golden Eaglets’ successful stay in Buenos Aires.

Speaking to thenff.com before Golden Eaglets’ departure to Santiago on Tuesday for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Lagunju said that the embassy staff particularly Mr. Elekwachi Ndubuisi, Mrs. Felicia Ezeorah and Mr. Abolaji Olawunmi were very impressive in the discharge of their duties.

” I want to use this opportunity to thank the Nigerian Embassy officials here in Argentina. We were well received right from the first day, they were hospitable like true Nigerians.

“It was great the NFF brought us to Buenos Aires Football (BAF) to prepare for the World Cup which is a conducive environment that allows for maximum concentration. We are equally very grateful to the staff of BAF and the liaison official from Eurodata, Juan Partricio who were also wonderful during our stay in Buenos Aires.”

Enyeama: Another look At Oliseh’s Managerial Skills

By Jude Opara, Abuja
Analysis
Certainly the dust raised by the sudden retirement of Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama from Nigerian senior national team will linger for a while.

Already many commentators have been discussing the issue which took place in far away Belgium during the double header international friendlies against Congo and Cameroon.

There were conflicting accounts of what led to the altercation but before going into their merits and demerits, it is instructive to state that the whole saga was avoidable as it is regrettable.

One account is that Oliseh got angry with Enyeama for reporting to camp on Tuesday instead of the Monday deadline while another said it was because of the captainship which was taken away from the goalkeeper and handed over to CSKA Moscow striker, Ahmed Musa that sparked off the saga.

However it must be stated that it takes an extra ability to manage human beings especially young footballers who are rich and also exposed.

What has happened may have forced some analysts to begin to take a second look at the managerial skills of Coach Sunday Oliseh. This is because a coach is supposed to know when to convey certain messages to his players and when not to.

Looking at the circumstances that led to Enyeama’s late arrival to camp, one would have expected Oliseh to have shown maturity by respecting the fact that the former Enyimba International of Aba goalkeeper just buried his mother the previous Saturday.

In my opinion, I believe that for Enyeama to have arrived Belgium on Tuesday demonstrates enough patriotism because it means that after the usual outing service on Sunday, he must have left Uyo on Monday to board a flight to Belgium.

Secondly, we must not forget that as Africans we pay enough respect to the dead. I am not interested whether or not Oliseh has the right to appoint his captain but doing that immediately after Enyeama buried his mother was ill-timed; which means he ought to have acted on the side of caution.

Again even if he had wanted to change his captain, Oliseh should have informed Enyeama before hand of his intention of changing him as the team captain because respect they say begets respect.

In as much as we all agree that Enyeama has the record of having issues with past Super Eagles coaches like Samson Siasia and Stephen Keshi, the manner Oliseh handled the issue is now earning him some sympathy.

Again considering the precarious situation of the Super Eagles in the qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Oliseh should be careful on how he courts trouble for himself and the national team.

A lot of commentators have queried the wisdom behind handing the captainship of the team to Ahmed Musa instead of Chelsea of England midfielder, Mikel Obi who used to be Vincent Enyeama’s assistant. That action inadvertently suggests that the likes of Mikel and other senior players are free to dump the team if they can’t subject themselves to Musa’s leadership.

I don’t want to believe that Oliseh settled for Musa because he does not want any player who is outspoken like Obi. Well there is an adage in my village which says that a head-hunter is never comfortable when another person goes behind him with a machete.

We still remember how Oliseh gave the authorities sleepless nights during his playing days, so it is a bit confusing why he now wants somebody who is very gentle as against somebody as outspoken as himself.

His bungling of the Enyeama saga must have put the NFF on the edge hence the speed at which the federation waded into the matter which resulted in the meeting where Enyeama said for him to rescind his decision to retire, he must have to talk to his wife and family.

Of course the NFF in this case has its hands tied because having just engaged Oliseh, they must be seen to be giving him all the support he requires. Therefore, they had no other option than to seem to have sided the coach on his decision.

But beyond the fact that Enyeama has been talking of his possible retirement from the national team, I believe that what the goalkeeper was hinting is that Nigeria should begin to groom other young goalkeepers that can take over from him, to me that does not mean that he must be so discarded at the slightest excuse.

If the coach knew he could as well do without Enyeama, then there was no need inviting him in the first place. In my opinion the rebuilding of the national team should not necessarily begin with the nomination of a new team captain especially where the so called old players are still very relevant.

Finally, since nothing lasts forever and the fact that once confidence is compromised, it will be difficult to build it again. What I will suggest therefore is that Enyeama should go ahead and retire from the national team because if he returns, any day he has a bad day and the team loses a game, many people will say he wanted to sabotage the coach.

Therefore, it is my submission and prayer that anything that will jeopardise the quest of the country to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon must be avoided because Nigerians will not entertain any excuse if the unexpected happens.

2016 Women World: Glo Salutes Falconets

Major sponsor of the Nigeria national football teams, Globacom, has congratulated the Nigerian women U-20 team, the Falconets after they defeated their Congo Democratic Republic counterparts 2-0 in the second round, second leg match for the FIFA Women U-20 World Cup billed for Papua, New Guinea in 2016.
The Falconets, who chalked up a 4-1 aggregate win after beating the Congolese 2-0 in the reverse fixture at Abuja National Stadium on Saturday, will now meet Basetsana of South Africa in the final round of the African qualifiers.
“We are delighted with the convincing win by the Falconets, especially after we earlier expressed our belief in the team to fly over their opponents,” Globacom said in a statement in Lagos yesterday.
“The victory, coming at a time that our national women football needed fresh boost after recent run of bad results, made it more glorious,” the statement added. It stressed: “These Falconets have demonstrated their desire and capability to be the future Super Falcons.”
The next generation network also commended on the team’s technical crew for what it called a job well executed.
“We enjoin the coaching crew not to rest on their oars until the ticket to Papua, New Guinea is firmly secured,” the statement further said.
“We also urge the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to do everything to motivate the players ahead of the final round of the qualifiers.”
The Falconets will host the first leg of the final qualifier against the South Africans on Saturday October 24th at the National Stadium, Abuja while the return leg will come up in Johannesburg on the 7th of November.

FIFA U-17 W/Cup: It’s Win Or Nothing, NFF Charges Eaglets

Four days to the kick-off of the 2015 U-17 FIFA World Cup in Santiago, Chile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has set a target “of the trophy or nothing” for the Coach Emmanuel Amuneke-tutored Golden Eaglets.

The NFF seemingly gave the charge through its Executive Committee Member, Hon. Sulieman Yahaya-Kwande, who spoke to National Mirror in Abuja.

Kwande, who is also a member of the House representatives, told our correspondent at the Abuja National Stadium moments after the U-20 national women’s team, Falconets, qualified for the final round of the African qualifying series for the 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate defeat of their opponents from the DR Congo, that Golden Eaglets must defend the cup their compatriots won in 2013 in UAE.

“I have always said that the primary objective of the team participating in the tournament is to lift the tournament trophy. It is more or less a mandate we have handed to the team.

“As you all know, we always have confidence on our junior team. I want you to understand that we are defending champions and we will not settle for the less,” the NFF board member said.

He added, “I don’t think Amuneke and his technical crew have an excuse, with robust programmes and support we gave them, we charge them to go all out there and defend the trophy we won two years ago in the United Arab Emirates, coupled with the fact that they have been in camp for long, we don’t expect nothing from them than to enter final and win the cup.”

Meanwhile, Golden Eaglets played their second and last warm up match before heading to Santiago for the 16th edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup against the U-20 side of Argentine top side, Racing Club de Avellaneda yesterday at the club’s central training pitch at Tita Mattiussi located in Greater Buenos Aires.

The Eaglets last Wednesday beat their Argentinean counterparts 2-1 at the AFA Training Centre.

Meanwhile, Amuneke has yet reiterated that the best players have been picked to represent Nigeria in Chile, with the Golden Eaglets playing their first match against the USA on Saturday at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago.

Nigeria 3-0 Cameroon: EAGLES FEAST ON LIONS

Nigeria defeated Cameroon 3-0 in yesterday’s international friendly played at the Edmond Machtens-Stadion, Belgium.

After the shambolic showing against  Congo DR in Mons last Thursday, the Super Eagles raised their game against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon to cruise to an emphatic win and ease pressure on coach Sunday Oliseh after his major fall out with Lille goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama.

The Eagles took a well deserved lead in the 39th minute through Efe Ambrose.

The Celtic defender rose above the Cameroon defence to power home a free kick from the right taken by Mikel Obi.

Incidentally, it was just minutes after that Ambrose almost put the ball into his own net when his back pass beat an on-rushing goalkeeper Carl Ikeme.

Outstanding Moses Simon scored his second Eagles goal on the hour when he blasted past the Cameroon goalkeeper after he was released by skipper Ahmed Musa.

Substitute Odion Ighalo took the game beyond the Indomitable Lions with a third goal two minutes from time when he headed home off a delightful cross by Elderson Echiejile from the left flank.

Cameroon would also struggle when skipper Stephane Mbia was sent off in the 47th minute after his second booking of the night.

Before then, Cameroon young goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa had to pull off at least two big saves to deny the Super Eagles.

In the ninth minute, the Barcelona second team shot stopper had to go down quickly to keep out a menacing ball heading for goal.

He got a strong hand to a pile driver by Emmanuel Emenike after 31 minutes.

But after Nigeria’s goal, Cameroon raised their game and ought to have at least drawn level particularly in the 44th minute when Spurs winger Clinton Njie got behind the Eagles defence, but Leonard Kweuku could not get a touch to the final pass from inside the six-yard box.

I Shall Return—Enyeama

Former Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama has been in the news following his rift with Coach Sunday Oliseh. Enyeama announced his resignation from the national team via the social platform. In this interview with Galaxy Television, Enyeama however, the Akwa Ibom born goal tender is saying he wants to be part of the team to re-write the history of Nigeria football.

We have heard so much about your rift with Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh. tell us, what has been going on?

First, of all, I want to thank Nigerians. I appreciate the passion, the criticism, everything. I want to say a very big thank you.

On the issue on ground, I think this is not the best way to treat someone who has served the country with so much enthusiasm and so much passion, so much dedication, you know, commitment. I think I have honoured almost all the matches I have been invited to play for the Super Eagles.

So to be treated the way I was treated a couple of days ago, I personally don’t accept that.

What really happened in the camp between you and Oliseh? How were treated?

When I came to camp, I had no issues with my coach. The coach has been a big part of me. He is there for me. He fought for me when I had issues with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF). The coach defended me all the way. I have never had an issue with him.

He (Oliseh) doesn’t know me. I don’t know him. We have never played together. We have never shared a football field, together.

The first thing that happened when I first arrived at the camp was a meeting. At the meeting, the coach addressed the players. The first thing he said was that he invited four goalkeepers to camp because he never expected me to come to the camp.

Secondly, he said that I was no more the captain of the team. That he had decided and he calls the shots. That was before dinner. He ended his speech with, “Enjoy your dinner”.

For me, it was a little bit shocking because I spoke with the NFF chairman (Amaju Pinnick) during the burial of my mother in Akwa Ibom. I was trying to excuse myself from coming to the camp because of the burial. He said, “No, Vincent, you have to be in camp”. He pushed me to be in camp. And because I really respect him (Pinnick), I told him I was going to leave everything, the thanksgiving service for my late mum. I told him, I was going to abandon it and come to the camp, which I did.

All the family meetings, everything we had to do with the people in the village, I abandoned all that and came to the camp.

So, for me to get my first welcome message of being stripped of captainship was a little bit not good for me. And after I had taken my food and ate, dinner had commenced. I am just telling you what played out.

I said, “Coach, please, I would like to say something.” He said, “No, you can’t talk”. I insisted that I wanted to talk. He insisted that I can’t talk. He then said that if I wanted to talk, he would order the team out and nobody would listen to me and I would sit there and talk alone or I would have to walk out if I insisted on talking.

I said, “Coach, I still want to say something.” And he said, “Vincent, get out! You have to leave now. If you don’t leave, I’m going to call the cops, the security to throw you out of this hotel.” He used the word, “security”.

He then got up, went to the door and opened it and commanded me to go out. He said, “Go out, go out, Vincent! Or I am going to call the security.”

So that is how it played out.

So, for me to lose my mother, be invited to the camp, only to be stripped of captainship. Then out of argument, to be threatened to have the cops or security called for me, to me, I think it is the height of it.

I have heard all sorts of things that Neymar this and that. They never treated Thiago Silva that way. They never treated Mascherano that way. Some Nigerians can say whatever they want to say, but for me, I feel that’s not the right way to be treated.

I am still open for playing for Nigeria till the day I die. Till the day I can stop playing football. Till the day God gives me the grace to stop playing football or to keep playing football. As long as I can play football, I will play for my country. Even at the age of 100, if I can play football, I am still open to playing for Nigeria.

But, now, I just want to go home and be with my family.

Does this mean that after speaking with the NFF, you will seek official excuse to leave the camp?

Yesterday, the coach (Oliseh) came back to the bus and said he doesn’t know me, he doesn’t want to know me, he doesn’t care about me, and he doesn’t have anything to do with me.

That is a part of this issue that people don’t know because I haven’t said anything. I keep my mouth quiet, and I said nothing on that bus.

When he said this, you still trained with the team?

I am still with the team because Pinnick told me to wait till he comes (to Belgium). The president of the NFF told me to wait, that is why I am waiting. I am respecting him. That is why I am still in the camp.

The coach said he doesn’t need me, doesn’t want me, he doesn’t know me. And he doesn’t want to know me. So, I shouldn’t be forced to play with such a coach.

I don’t have a problem with him (Oliseh). He is a great man. He is a a great guy. He is a nice guy. But, I tell you the truth, I just wanna go home and be with my family. This period, I am mourning my mum, I don’t want any more problems. Now, people are saying all kinds of things like, “Vincent is stubborn”.

I don’t know if there is anybody in this world who is treated that way that would not want to know why he is being stripped of the captainship.

I am not so concerned about being captain. I don’t have a problem with it (being removed as captain). But, I think I should be given an excuse, a reason why.

I have been playing for Nigeria for 13 years. So I feel if a decision is being taken on me, I think I deserve to know why.

And moreso, I was being invited. I did not come through the backdoor. I was invited.

In my club, in the European Club, if a coach doesn’t play you in a match, he comes to your room, or he calls you, or he invites you to his room. He tells you, “You’re not going to play today, because I want to field another player”. It shows respect.

I have worked so hard for my country. I was part of the success of Nigerian football, then I am being treated like that without being given a chance to express myself. Then, I think that is not fair.

I am feeling so sad. I am feeling really, really sad. Because I would have stopped playing football for Nigeria after the World Cup. But, then, I changed my mind because I love the country so much. I love Nigeria so much. I want her to return to glory. I want to be part of that glory. I want to be part of the pain. I want to be part of what happens in Nigerian football. It breaks my heart that Nigerian football is struggling. But, then, I want to be part of rewriting our story.

But, if the coach and the people don’t want me to be part of it, I believe there are better ways of taking me out. You can call me and talk to me. You can send me a message. You can do a phone call. You don’t need to invite me to camp, to tell me in the presence of everyone. You don’t need to invite me to tell me that you’re going to call the cops for me.

I did nothing wrong. I am not an armed robber. I feel bad, I feel bad. I am telling you the truth. I feel really bad. I feel very sad.

In this trying moment, when you lost your mother, and are now dealing with this row with your coach, what can you say you have learnt from this episode. What have you taken away from all this?

I have learnt a lot. Not to trust any man. But to trust only God. Only God doesn’t disappoint. But this is so painful for me. What do you think those young players will think?  ‘Oh, if Vincent is being treated this way, what about me? I don’t have a future.’ It discourages people from playing for their country. It discourages people from giving so much for this country. Imagine you were working so hard for your establishment and one day , your boss walks in and says,”You’re fired.” How would you feel?

Hmmmmm

Answer me. In the presence of everybody in the meeting room, he says, “Mr. Peter, you’re fired! You are relieved of your duties.” I wonder what you would do?

I would summon up courage and ask why.

That is what I did. I asked, ‘Why?’ And he said, “Walk out or I’ll call the cops.”

There is a report that you entered into an altercation with Oliseh. Did you threaten to fight your coach at any point in time?

Never. Never. Never. God is my witness. God is the judge. I was prevented from speaking. I was never even given a chance to speak.

I have heard a lot of people say I should have sat down. I should have taken it easy.

For God’s sake, I have played for Nigeria for 13 years. Not one, not two (but 13 years).

So, if I am being treated like a player who is just coming into the camp for his debut game, then I don’t need to be here. It’s a simple thing.

The coach says he doesn’t count on me. I don’t have a problem with that. For me, I just want to respect my mum and walk home.

Note:

Enyeama was expected to return to Eagles camp in Belgium to meet with officials of the NFF yesterday.