NIGERIAN Football Federation (NFF) officials have decided to organise a testimonial game for retired Super Eagles skipper Vincent Enyeama as part of measures to honour the goalkeeper who served the nation meritoriously for 13 years.
Last week, Enyeama retired from international football after a bitter feud with coach Sunday Oliseh who dropped him as first choice goalkeeper and stripped him of the captain's armband. This led to Enyeama storming out of the team's camp in Belgium and returning to his base at Lille in France.
However, to resolve the disagreement, Amaju Pinnick, the NFF president has said a testimonial will be organised for Enyeama as he deserves an honourable exit from the Super Eagles. Mr Pinnick said he told Enyeama in clear terms that the country is bigger than any individual and that even if he was determined to quit international football, he did not have to do so in a situation of acrimony.
Mr Pinnick added: "I told him that he did so well for Nigeria over the past 13-and-half years that he had been there and by all means, is deserving of an honourable exit. Whatever the situation, whether he decides to return to the team or not, the NFF will organise a worthy testimonial match in his honour because he served the nation so well.
"However, the head coach is in full charge of the team and the camp at all times and that fact must be respected. The NFF will support and respect the decision of the head coach of any of the national teams at all times."
According to Mr Pinnick, both Oliseh and Enyeama are true heroes of Nigeria football, as they achieved a lot at different times. He added, however, that Oliseh is head coach now and in charge of the team, so the NFF will continue to respect his contract as its role as a federation is advisory.
It is not yet clear when or where the testimonial will take place or who the Eagles' opponents will be. It is likely to take place in Uyo, Enyeama's hometown, where he was recently honoured when he became Nigeria's most capped player with 101 appearances for the Super Eagles.
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