By Tony Ubani
Despite efforts by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi to douse the effects of the mistake by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Sports Vanguard of Vanguard Newspaper can reveal that Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo almost exchanged blows with the keeper for creating the opportunity that saw Liberia drew 2-2 in the first leg of Nations Cup qualifier in Monrovia on Saturday.
Despite efforts by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi to douse the effects of the mistake by goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Sports Vanguard of Vanguard Newspaper can reveal that Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo almost exchanged blows with the keeper for creating the opportunity that saw Liberia drew 2-2 in the first leg of Nations Cup qualifier in Monrovia on Saturday.
Vanguard Newspaper gathered that no sooner the match ended, had a livid skipper Yobo confront Enyeama over his howler and the two exchanged hot words.
WE CAN’T CONTINUE LIKE THIS ••• Skipper Joseph Yobo and goalkeeper Enyeama argue at the World Cup in 2010. They argued again in Monrovia last week.
A very reliable source informed Sports Van guard that younger players in the team were equally infuriated with Enyeama’s poor handling of affairs but were relieved when Yobo told him his cock-ups were becoming one too many for the team.
“There was altercation in the Eagles dressing room in Monrovia while other players watched. Yobo was visibly angry and yelled at Enyema’’, our source said.
Vincent Enyemah has had a solid career in the Eagles and distinguished himself in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa even though the players wobbled.
But catcalls have trailed his one mistake too many notably against the Lone Stars although coach Stephen Keshi has waived the olive branch to save his keeper. ‘’If there is anybody to be blamed, it’s the team, not an individual’’, Keshi declared yesterday through Super Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya.
Speaking in Abuja, Keshi declared that the issue regarding national team performance cannot be placed at the doorstep of a single individual like Enyeama.
He however assured that he will produce a new national team that Nigerians at all levels will be proud of. “ I understand the apprehension of Nigerians, and like I have always asked for, we need patience. I need lots of it to succeed. I am sure we will score many goals ”.
The former national team skipper of the famed Tunisia 1994 squad was speaking against the backdrop of news making the rounds that he has chosen to blame individuals rather than the team for the failure to win in Monrovia.
“I never at any moment said that Enyeama, who remains our first choice keeper caused us the draw in Liberia and in fact I think that he is one of the best in the world but at times like these emotions rule over reasons. We must not bring individual players into our poor performance, it’s a collective effort and if there is failure, its also collective”, Ben Alaiya, Super Eagles Media Officer, quoted Keshi as saying.
