2014 Glo-CAF Awards: Sports enthusiasts tip Enyeama to win

Sports enthusiasts on Monday in Abuja tipped Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to win the coveted 2014 Glo-CAF Awards.

A cross-section of sports enthusiasts who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews said Enyeama deserved to win this year’s edition of the awards.

the list of 25 top contenders for the 2014 African Footballer of the Year award was earlier released by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in October.

Vincent Enyeama

Also, a list of 20 nominees for the African Footballer of the Year (Africa-based) award was released at the same time.

However, the list of the African Footballer of the Year nominees was further trimmed down to three some days ago.

The three-man shortlist has alongside Enyeama the duo of Cote d’Ivoire’s Yaya Toure who plays for Manchester City in England and Pierre Aubameyang of Gabon who play German side Borussia Dortmund.

Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Chairman of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, said Enyeama had been outstanding for club and country and deserves to win the award on the basis of this.

“I think the most befitting thing is for him to win the African Player of the Year award.

“He has done very well in his capacity as a goalkeeper, knowing that football is all about performance.

“Enyeama has been there for a very long time and when you judge his performance over the years, he deserves such an accolade.

“Even if it is of the moment, I think having won the Nations Cup and playing very well in his club, he deserves to be the Player of the Year,’’ he said.

Jamila Buhari, Nigeria’s first female referee, said Enyeama was well qualified for the award.

“Enyeama deserves to be given the award. We all saw what he offered us at the World Cup. In spite of the fact that we did not qualify for the African Cup of Nations, he did well.

“He was even picked as the best African Goalkeeper of the Year at the FIFA level.

“My advice to others players is that they should work with passion and play with zeal. They should forget about money. It will come after.

“Enyeama singled himself out among the super Eagles with the passion of playing, and I pray the award finally goes to him,’’ she said.

Seyi Akinwunmi, NFA’s First Vice-Chairman, also said Enyeama deserved to be listed as a candidate for the awards, adding that he was optimistic that he would emerge as the winner.

“I think he should win it. I have given him my vote and I’m very hopeful, first of all as a Nigerian, but having watched Enyeama’s performance. There is no doubt in my mind that he will take it this time,” he said.

Akinwunmi also said this year’s award promises to be more exciting and entertaining.

“All hands are on deck to ensure that the awards this year will be one which would not be forgotten in a long time to come,’’ he said.

Source: vanguardngr.com