Vincent Enyeama Reflects on His Marc-Vivien Foé Award Win, Acknowledges Other Top African Goalkeepers
Vincent Enyeama, the Nigerian goalkeeper who won the prestigious Marc-Vivien Foé Award for the best African player in Ligue 1, has expressed humility regarding his achievement. Despite a standout season with Lille, Enyeama does not view himself as the best African goalkeeper at present. Instead, he highlighted the quality and hard work of several other African goalkeepers who, in his opinion, deserve greater recognition.
“There are so many good African goalkeepers… They don’t all get the chance to be in the spotlight,” Enyeama told France 24. “There’s the Togolese goalkeeper from Reims [Kossi Agassa], who’s doing an incredible job there. There’s also my backup [in the Nigerian national team], who’s playing in Israel. Austin Ejide is really a superstar there. He just hasn’t had the chance to be in the spotlight, like I did. There’s also Carlos Kameni, the goalkeeper from Cameroon, and also Charles Itandje, another Cameroonian. They’re top-level goalkeepers. I have a lot of respect for them.”
Enyeama made history by becoming the first goalkeeper to win the Marc-Vivien Foé Award, succeeding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He triumphed over notable contenders like Ivorian Serge Aurier and Cameroonian Henri Bedimo, further solidifying his place as one of the best in Africa, while giving credit to others who continue to excel in the role.
