Super Eagles Vice Captain, Vincent Enyeama’s dream of playing in Europe finally got a boost, as the shot stopper makes a return to French side, Lille. He has been assured of a starting line-up position in the 2013/14 season after a year-long loan deal at Maccabi, Tel Aviv in Israel.
Enyeama, who was part of Nigeria’s squad to the Confederations Cup in Brazil left Lille last season, after being unable to get consistent playing time sets as he was second choice to Mickael Landreau.
However, L’Equipe reported that Coach Rene Girard would now make the Nigerian his first choice in goal ahead of Steeve Elena, as the new season sets to commenc. Elena took charge last season after Landreau’s departure in December 2012.
Enyeama, who had been linked with a move to Spain would look to stay at the club as he hopes to keep his place in the Nigeria squad, leading to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
During Enyeama’s spell with Enyimba he won the CAF Champions League twice, with one noteworthy mention: He was always substituted before penalty shootouts. “I don’t know why I was substituted before penalties, but it worked,” he said in an interview in 2006. “In Israel, I stopped many penalties and now everyone knows that I can handle penalties.”
After three seasons with Enyimba and one with FC Heartland, Enyeama moved to a minor club in Israel, Bnei Yehuda, Tel Aviv. He had a fantastic first season, showing amazing physical and athletic skills. In his first season with Bnei Yehuda, the team qualified for the final of the Israel State Cup and achieved fourth place in the Israeli Premier League, which qualified the team for the 2006 UEFA Cup.
Enyeama signed for Hapoel, Tel Aviv in 2007. Hapoel Tel Aviv endured a poor season in 2007/2008, but Enyeama helped the team to avoid relegation and reached the state cup final. On 18 August 2010 he scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season with a penalty against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League qualifiers.
In June 2011 he moved to French side, Lille for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract. He made his debut on 18 October 2011 against Inter Milan in the 2012 UEFA Champions League group stage, where Inter managed a 1–0 victory.
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