By Victor Kanayo
Years after his father’s retirement, the son of former Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama, has now become a professional goalkeeper.
Aged 18, Enyeama’s son whose name is not disclosed yet has alreary signed his first professional contract at Ligue 1 club, Lille, his father’s former club in France.
Confirmation
The cheering news was disclosed by Enyeama via his Facebook page.
He wrote, “God is the greatest. Home sweet home. Back home in a different skin #losc #prouddaddy.”
Senior Enyeama’s Successful Career
Enyeama was on the books of Lille for seven years, making 143 league appearances.
Enyeama, who joined French side Lille in June 2011, enjoyed a stellar career marked by numerous accolades and significant milestones.
In his debut for Lille on 18 October, 2011, Enyeama faced Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League group stage, a match that ended in a 1-0 victory for Inter.
Following a loan to Maccabi Tel Aviv in August 2012, where he played 27 Israeli Premier League fixtures and helped the team win the championship title, Enyeama returned to Lille to solidify his place as a key player.
During the 2013–14 Ligue 1 season, under the management of René Girard, Enyeama was chosen as the first-choice goalkeeper.
His outstanding performances, supported by center-backs Marko Baša and Simon Kjær, resulted in 11 consecutive clean sheets.
Enyeama’s impressive run saw him nearly break Gaëtan Huard’s Ligue 1 goalkeeping record of 1,176 minutes without conceding a goal, as he played 1,062 minutes before conceding to Bordeaux’s Landry N’Guémo on 8 December, 2013.
Despite a challenging 2017–18 season, where Enyeama did not make a league appearance due to a disagreement with the club’s management, he remained committed to his craft.
He rejoined Lille’s first-team training in July 2018 and eventually parted ways with the club by mutual consent on 31 August, 2018.
Retirement Call, New Kid On The Prawl
Though he hoped to continue playing, Enyeama ultimately retired at the end of the 2019–20 season.
His legacy, however, continues as his son embarks on his own journey as a goalkeeper at Lille.
With aspirations to achieve significant success like his father, young Enyeama aims to carve out his path and contribute to the rich history of the club.