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Despite the crucial roles played by goalkeepers in their team's success, most accolades go to the outfield players. It was in 1963 when Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin became the only in history to win the Ballon d'Or. This is a clear indication of how goalkeepers' contributions are less appreciated in football.
However, it's no coincidence that a football team's success is largely determined by the brilliance of the goalkeeper in between the sticks. An in-depth look at successful football teams in history shows that there was a super goalkeeper that kept the clean sheets and made crucial saves to contribute to the team's success.
Nigeria, as one of the most successful teams in Africa, also had to rely on the brilliance of their goalkeepers to be a force to be reckoned with for decades. Here is a look at the three goalkeepers who have fought tooth and nail for the Nigerian national football team to ensure their prolonged success in football.
3. Ike Shorunmu
Ike Shorunmu represented Nigeria during a period where they enjoyed a lot of success. Despite not being a starter during his early days with the national team, his patience paid off, as he was the first choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
He spent a few years playing football in Nigeria, before he secured a dream move to Switzerland in 1995, a period where very few African players were playing in Europe. He made a name for himself while playing for FC Zurich, thus securing another career-defining transfer to Turkish giants Besiktas JK in 1999.
Shorunmu hung up his boots in 2002 after the FIFA World Cup after representing his country for over a decade playing 36 matches for the Super Eagles. He currently is the Nigerian goalkeeping coach.
#2 Peter Rufai
Peter Rufai represented Nigeria during a time when they enjoyed tremendous success. He assumed his place between the sticks when the Super Eagles made their FIFA World Cup debut in 1994, where he managed to keep a clean sheet in their 3-0 historic win against Bulgaria. He helped Nigeria secure qualification to the last 16, but could not prevent his side from being knocked out by Italy.
Rufai represented Nigeria in two FIFA World Cups and African Cup of Nations. However, it is in the very same year that the Super Eagles won their second African Cup of the Nations trophy with Rufai between the sticks. He played professional football for 20 years across clubs in Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal & Spain.
After the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Rufai retired from international football after making 65 appearances for the Super Eagles.
#1 Vincent Enyeama
Vincent Enyeama is arguably the most decorated Nigerian goalkeeper of all time. The 37-year old took over from where Ike Shorunmu left off, to lead Nigeria to their first African Cup of Nation Championship since 1994. He represented Nigeria in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and multiple editions of the Africa Cup of Nations between 2004 and 2013.
The former Nigerian skipper captained his team to the 2013 African Cup of Nations victory in South Africa, where they defeated Burkina Faso by a 1-0 scoreline. His illustrious career for the Super Eagles is best explained by the 101 caps he had for the national team. Apart from his tremendous achievement of equalling Joseph Yobo as the most capped Nigerian in history, Enyeama enjoyed success at club level too.
He starred for Israel side Hapoel Tel Aviv, where his impressive performances between the sticks caught the attention of French club Lille. After staying at Hapoel Tel Aviv for five years where he won the League title, he sealed a move to Lille. In his time in France, he registered an impressive 11 consecutive clean sheets, as he came close to equalling the Ligue 1 goalkeeping record.
