Who Is The Eagles’ Greatest Goalkeeper In 60 years?



I spent the whole of today in search of opinions on who the greatest goalkeeper in the history of Nigerian football since Independence in 1960 is.

What a day it turned out to be….working with my phone. It reminded me of Owolabi Ilori, the late sports editor of the Punch newspaper who covered the entire 1980 Moscow Olympic Games from his hotel room in Moscow using a telephone.


His reports brought down the structures of the original National Sports Commission and started its southward dive into the mess that eventually consumed Nigerian sports from which they have not fully recovered, 40 years after.

The telephone is a very powerful tool. It was on full duty today connecting me with some of the most unlikely people you can imagine that have been quietly following my reports and have decided to add their voices to the current conversation.





Who remembers the first ‘Professor’ in Nigerian football? He was not an academic professor. He was a coach, but was so good that at a particular period in his coaching career those who had the privilege of being coached by him when he was invited to join Coach Father Tiko in the Green Eagles camp at the campus of the University of Ife in Ile Ife, preparatory to the Montreal Olympic Games of 1976, had to ‘crown’ him a ‘Professor’.

He was the most erudite and articulate coach in Nigerian football that I ever met. I have no idea what his academic qualifications were, but his team talks, his analysis of games and players, and his mastery of the English language, were truly exceptional.

When he unleashed his team on Nigerian football it 1978, the team, Bendel Insurance FC of Benin, truncated the almost 8 years’ dominance of Rangers International and Shooting Stars in Nigerian football. The team deservedly climbed the ladder of ‘best team in Nigeria’ in that year. No one doubted that that Bendel Insurance team, with 10 out of 11 of the players invited to the national team, was the product of a very fertile coaching mind.

Enough credit and recognition have not been given to him till now even at 86. Time to honour him is fast running out.

I called him this morning after decades of trying to locate where he had been hibernating. To my pleasant surprise, he had not lost any of his sharpness of mind and language. Our conversation was so refreshing. I may reproduce it soon for the public to enjoy. I am referring, of course, to ‘Professor’ Alabi Aissien. He tutored late Shuaibu Amodu to become the great coach that he was.

Alabi Aissien – former international Coach

Vincent Enyeama – there is no element of luck that follows many goalkeepers in Vincent’s case. He is good and dependable. He knows how to hold his position in goal during matches, and kept developing it throughout his career, getting better all the time.

Admiral J. Ayinla – Former Naval Chief of Staff

Vincent Enyeama. I throw my hat in for Okala, Rufai and Vincent, each a great and deserving goalkeeper of his era. Give them 2 numbers each from 1 to 6, and throw a dice, I will be comfortable with the outcome. But, ok, I pick Vincent Enyeama.

Aghanya ibezimako – former Police Commissioner.

Emmanuel Okala. He is simply the best because his errors were few and his saves on one-on-one situations outnumbered those of the others put together. Most of his saves were critical, often leading to his team winning a match.

goalkeeper-segun-odegbami-eagles-alabi-aissien-vincent-enyeama-peter-rufai-emmanuel-okala-best-ogedegbe-inua-lawal-rigogo
Emmanuel Okala

Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye – administrator

Peter Rufai. His accumulation of international laurels is a reflection of his quality. He comes ahead of all others. He is always reliable in goal.

Toyin Obitoye – journalist

Vincent Enyeama. In a match against Messi when the Argentine genius was at his very best, at the World Cup of 2010 in South Africa, Vincent confronted the best player in the world and denied him finding the back of his net. He was so good on the night that he was nominated (as well as in a second match too) as Man of the Match! 4 years later in 2014, at the World Cup again, even when the Eagles lost to France, he was rated one of the best in the championship. Playing at such levels and earning such accolades speak volumes.

Samson Siasia – coach/ex-international player.

Peter Rufai, Of course. His showmanship was a reflection of his confidence and ability. With every step forward from goal, he was flying in the air stopping goals. He took this to win the African Cup of Nations and to the 1994 World Cup. He was simply the best.

Kadiri Ikhana – coach/ex-international player.

Best Ogedegbe. He is like a rubber ball. When everything failed in a team he was always there to save the team and the situation. He did it over and over again, and won several victories for his team through his dramatic and unbelievable saves.

goalkeeper-segun-odegbami-eagles-alabi-aissien-vincent-enyeama-peter-rufai-emmanuel-okala-best-ogedegbe-inua-lawal-rigogo
Best Ogedegbe

Dahiru Sadi – ex-international player

Vincent Enyeama. He had too many qualities of a great goalkeeper- very calm in the net, never ruffled, never quarreled with his defenders, always controlling and initiating attacks with his kicks and throws. a very disciplined and highly technical goalie.

Kola Taiwo (SKT) – Coach/ex-international player

Inua Lawal Rigogo. The only goalkeeper that could fly and suspend in the air. Very acrobatic. His training was exceptional, always doing more than the rest and utilizing it in matches. Was very difficult to beat him. He was technically very sound. A good goalkeeper indeed.

Tony Nnachetta – Administrator

Emmanuel Okala. I saw him with my two eyes actually diving and changing direction in mid-air like a bird, from one direction to another, in a successful effort to stop a goal bound shot from Johnny Nwadioha of Vasco Dagama in Enugu. Jonathan Ogufere was a witness of that unforgettable display. That is it for me. I have never seen anything quite like it. So, there has never been anyone like him.

Ituah Ighodalo – Pastor.

Peter Fregene. Hard to choose between Inua Rigogo and Fregene. Saw them both. Stationary Stores was my team with Muyiwa Oshode, Opone, Anieke, etc.But, I think I give it to Fregene.

Femi Aluko – politician

Vincent Enyeama, For his longevity and leadership qualities. As a goalkeeper, he captained the National team and distinguished himself against the best in the world. Gave Messi a run for his money at the World Cup. Played for top teams in the French league. He won the Africa Champions Club cup twice with Enyimba. Won the Cup of Nations in 2013. With Joseph Yobo, they are the only two with over 100 national caps each. This signifies supreme fitness and discipline.

Satish Sekar – British Journalist

Vincent Enyeama. He won AFCON and was also a great leader on the pitch. He had longevity in his career. Of the three Nigerian AFCON winning squads, the 2013 one needed him to head its spine more than the other two. He delivered.


REPLY
Ayphillydegreat
I loved Peter Rufai as a kid, his showmanship and flamboyance was exceptional. However, I have to give it to the great Vincent Enyeama. He was the main reason we won that AFCON in 2013. Rufai had a luxury of great defenders in Uche Okechukwu, Stephen Keshi and Chidi Nwanu. Enyeama never had that, Yobo was the only high profile defender he played with and a young Omeruo. The rest are mediocres at best. Definitely Vincent Enyeama is Nigeria’s greatest ever goalie.





Lalasticlala mynd44
www.completesports.com/who-is-the-eagles-greatest-goalkeeper-in-60-years/#comment-307991

Who else if not me?

Nigeria has been blessed with great goal keepers over the years... But who is the greatest of them all.

1.Sam Ibiam

2. Inua Lawal Rigogo

3. Peter Fregene:

4. Emmanuel Okala

,5. Best Ogedegbe


6. Peter Rufai

7. Vincent Enyeama



Others Nigerian goal keepers

1Carl O’Dwyer

2. Eyo Essien

3. Emmanuel Ominunu

4. Olu Onagoruwa

5. Joe Erico

6 Amusa Adisa

7. Alloy Agwu

8.. Willy Pkpara

9 David Ngodigha

10..Wilfred Agbonavbare

11. Dosun Joseph

12. Ike Shorumu

13. Dele Aiyengba

14. Austin Ejide...

Josef Dusu of Atlanta 96. If not for that accident he had ehn...

The top three:


1 . Emmanuel Okala


EMMANUEL Okala, Nigeria’s first ‘African Footballer of the Year’ stands out from the crowd in goal keeping, intimidating strikers with his height. He remains one of the safest hands Nigeria ever had in the goalpost.

He debuted for Nigeria with his first international call up in a 3-2 win over Tanzania in a friendly at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, in 1972, and his last international cap against Cameroun in a 1-1 draw in 1980, in an African Games match. He made 59 appearances for the national team, Green Eagles, later rechristened Super Eagles.

Okala is among the league of players that had their siblings play for the Super Eagles, but his is peculiar, along with his younger brother, Patrick Okala, they remain the only siblings to have kept the post for Nigeria.

The senior Okala in the 1970s to the 1980, dived and parried away opponents schemes to score, while Patrick stopped opposing side moves to find the back of the net in the 1990s. The Okala brothers are the first Nigerian siblings to win African Nations Cup gold and silver medals. Emmanuel won gold in 1980, while Patrick latter picked a silver medal in 1984.

Nicknamed ‘Iroko’, ‘Man Mountain’, ‘The Gentle Giant,’ among others, Emmanuel Okala, took after his uncle, Walter Okala. Walter was a goalkeeper of Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, in his secondary school days. Recall that in 1938, CKC became national champions when they defeated St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, in Lagos. In 1977, CKC won the International Schools Sports Federation (ISSF) Football Championships in Dublin, Ireland.

The six feet six inch goalkeeper, the only goalkeeper to win the Africa Best Footballer of the Year was born on May 17, 1951, in Onitsha, Anambra State to Ogbuefi Chukwuegbuka Okala and Mrs. Margrete Okala. He started his primary education at St. Joseph Primary School, Onitsha, and started playing football at Ogboti village, Onitsha, and at a time, people pride themselves to represent their village team and to return from matches as winners. Immediately after the Nigerian Civil War,

https://www.nationallightngr.com/2020/01/23/emmanuel-okala-football-legend-iroko-in-goalpost/

Peter Rufai (born 24 August 1963) is a Nigerian retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Peter Rufai
Personal information
Date of birth
24 August 1963 (age 56)


He competed professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, in a senior career that lasted 20 years.

Rufai represented Nigeria in two World Cups and as many Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.


Club career:
Born in Lagos, Rufai started his career in his country, playing with Stationery Stores F.C. and Femo Scorpions. He moved to Benin in 1986, with AS Dragons FC de l'Ouémé.

At a more professional level Rufai spent six years in Belgium, with K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen[1] and K.S.K. Beveren, although he appeared sparingly. In the 1993–94 season he played 12 matches for Dutch neighbours Go Ahead Eagles, which finished 12th in the Eredivisie.

In 1994, Rufai started a Portuguese adventure with S.C. Farense. In his first year, he was instrumental as the Algarve side only conceded 38 goals in 34 matches, qualifying to the UEFA Cup for the first time ever. His solid performances earned him a transfer to La Liga, but he struggled to start for lowly Hércules CF during his stay, in an eventual relegation.

However, Rufai signed with established Deportivo de La Coruña the ensuing summer, backing up another African, Jacques Songo'o, for two seasons – this included keeping a clean sheet in a January 1998 home win against CD Tenerife (1–0) as the Cameroonian was suspended.[2] He then returned to Portugal for one final year, with modest Gil Vicente FC, also being second-choice.

Rufai returned to Spain in 2003, settling in the country and opening a goalkeeper's school.

International career:
Rufai earned 65 caps for Nigeria, and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups, always as starter: 1994 (Nigeria's first ever appearance, where he also acted as captain) and 1998,[3] also helping the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

On 24 July 1993, during a CAN qualifier against Ethiopia, Rufai scored his country's last goal from a penalty kick, in a 6–0 home win.

Personal life:
Rufai was the son of a tribal king in the region of Idimu. In early 1998, as his father died, he was allowed by his club (Deportivo) to return to Nigeria to discuss the succession, but turned down the status for himself.[2]

Rufai's oldest son, Senbaty, played as a midfielder, having tried for Sunshine Stars F.C. in the Nigeria Premier League.

The top three

3. Vincent Enyeama

Vincent Enyeama (born 29 August 1982) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. He was also a member of the Nigerian national team from 2002 until October 2015, serving as its captain from 2013 until his retirement from international football. With 101 caps, he is Nigeria's most capped player of all time.



International career
After making his debut for the Nigeria national football team against Kenya in May 2002,[9] Enyeama was selected for the 2002 FIFA World Cup as a cover for Ike Shorunmu. He made his competitive debut in that tournament, keeping a clean sheet against England in the third group match. Since the retirement of Shorunmu, he has been the first-choice goalkeeper for the national team, helping the Super Eagles to third-place finishes in the 2004, 2006, 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, and captaining the team to victory of in the 2013 edition. He has also participated in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups, and the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

In the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, Enyeama stopped three kicks in the quarter-final penalty shootout against Tunisia, but could not prevent a loss to Ivory Coast in the semi-final. In the 2010 tournament, he was again Nigeria's shootout hero at the quarter-final stage, saving from Zambia's Thomas Nyrienda and scoring the winning kick himself.

Enyeama made his second FIFA World Cup appearance in the 2010 tournament in South Africa. He was named man of the match in Nigeria's first game of the tournament, a defiant display that restricted Argentina to a 1–0 win. Enyeama, who was playing his 56th international for the Super Eagles, made six fine saves against the two-time world champions, four of them from Lionel Messi. Argentine coach Diego Maradona praised him as the reason Messi was not able to score a goal. Enyeama was also awarded man of the match in the team's next fixture, a 2–1 loss to Greece, but was at fault for Vasilis Torosidis' winning goal.

At the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Enyeama deputised for regular captain Joseph Yobo, who stayed on the bench for most of the competition.[9] On 10 February, Enyeama led Nigeria to its third continental victory, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 defeat of Burkina Faso in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Final. He was named to the team of the tournament as first choice goalkeeper, conceding only four goals in six matches.[12]

In June 2014, Enyeama was named in Nigeria's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[13] In the Super Eagles' first fixture, he kept the second FIFA World Cup clean sheet of his career as Nigeria drew 0–0 with Iran.[14] He subsequently recorded a second consecutive shutout in the fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a 1–0 win which gave Nigeria its first win at the tournament since the 1998 edition.[15] He conceded three goals in the last match of the first round against Argentina, a game which ended in a 3–2 defeat for Nigeria, placing them second in the group and thus qualifying them for the second round for the first time in 16 years.

On 26 March 2015, Enyeama won his 100th cap for Nigeria in a 1–0 loss to Uganda. He retired from international football on 8 October 2015 but later reinstated himself in October 2017.

Erediauwa:
For me, it's an easy pick...... "Vincent Enyeama" I followed him during his spell at Enyimba, especially year 2003.

His confiders I admire.

OK may be you not heard of. Dodo Mayana


Morocco 88


Abi.




USA 94


When Maradona was like juju. Yet Dodo mayana kept him cool

robosky02:



OK may be you not heard of. Dodo Mayana


Morocco 88


Abi.




USA 94


When Maradona was like juju. Yet Dodo mayana kept him cool

Rufai was good no doubt, but Vincent is better.



atheistandproud, I believe i was good back then at Secondary School too... OJJC Fc

Erediauwa:
Rufai was good no doubt, but Vincent is better.



atheistandproud, I believe i was good back then at Secondary School too... OJJC Fc

Lol, you dey try that year.

Peter Rufai

My top three are

Chigozie Agbim
Biodun Baruwa omo Alhaja and
Akpere

AndSunGorilla:
My top three are

Chigozie Agbim
Biodun Baruwa omo Alhaja and
Akpere

You mean Daniel Akpeyi?

I'm sure you're forgetting Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho, Ambrose Vanzekin and Austin Ejide.

atheistandproud:


You mean Daniel Akpeyi?

I'm sure you're forgetting Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Francis Uzoho, Ambrose Vanzekin and Austin Ejide.

Akpeyi indeed

AndSunGorilla:
My top three are

Chigozie Agbim
Biodun Baruwa omo Alhaja and
Akpere

Guy are you sure this are you best 3 abi you dey pull my leg?

Nigeria never get one aboki goal keeper before ?
chai those gworo chewing dude ain't good for nothing when it come to sport..
why always the South ?