The goalkeeper Nigeria deserves

A safe pair of hands is what a good goalie is called. In football Vincent Enyeama fits the bill; he’s been the first choice keeper for the Super Eagles since 2002.

Enyeama was outstanding last season in the French Ligue 1. He kept a clean sheet for 1,062 minutes (11 games) for Lille, the club he plays for in France. An own goal ended his Enyeama’s tally – 114 minutes shy of breaking the record Gaetan Huard set in the 1992/1993 season. Still, his performance earned him the Best African player award in the French premier league.

If a goalkeeper’s nickname is an indicator of fans’ devotion, those of Enyeama: “Pastor”, “The Cat”, reflect what Nigerians see when Enyeama is manning the goalpost. When in the goalpost his delivery can be exceptional: “the phenomenal” and prayerful player who keeps curling or close range shots, from preys like Lionel Messi, from entering the net?

But a goalie’s fame can move from grace to grass and back again. One moment he is praised: the man of the match, the golden gloved one; tomorrow (and possibly for the rest of his life) he will be blamed for a spectacular loss.

Angel Abide, an ex-player and economist, says “Goalkeepers are lonely specialists, put in a position that is mostly a setup for failure. They rarely touch the ball, when they do it they have all the spotlight, saves are expected, and mistakes are very costly.” All shots stop at the shot-stopper’s box.

When keepers are not making saves or mistakes their position is a valuable vantage point – a pitch perfect view of the game, open spaces, players’ positions and as the last defender they command the defense. In other words, goalkeepers are leaders.

They must be mentally strong and able to handle failure: that easy ball that was let in, that game-changing mistake at last minute of extra time. Goals are a fact of life.

In politics, the term “a safe pair of hands” refers to a leader who is competent, inspires trust, a person you who when faced with a difficult task won’t drop the ball.  It’s a symbol, Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, used successfully in 2013 to win a third term as the leader of the largest economy in Europe.

As Nigeria faces Argentina and Bosnia in Brazil Enyeama’s pair of safe hands will resonate confidence. As we contend with insurgents in the north-east and the over 200 missing girls (it’s being 65 days) it’ll be re-assuring if had leaders that don’t drop the ball.

Being the largest economy in Africa or champions of African football is not a strategy. We need leaders with the tactics and techniques to lead one united Nigeria.

Tayo Fagbule