Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has shed light on why he refrained from applying for the head coaching position of the national team.
The Abia State-born former international is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in Nigerian football history, cited two primary reasons for his decision not to vie for the role, which has been vacant since the departure of Portuguese tactician Jose Peseiro after guiding Nigeria to a second-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The former Lille goalkeeper disclosed that he would have considered applying for the position had he obtained his coaching certification and not been deeply involved in his hotel business ventures.
Since retiring from professional football, Enyeama has focused his efforts on the growth and expansion of Vinpy Hotels, a venture he is deeply committed to.
Despite his dedication to his business endeavours, Enyeama has been actively pursuing his coaching qualifications, dividing his time between Europe and Nigeria to attain the necessary credentials.
The 41-year-old said that lack of certification and commitment to his hotel business are the main factors preventing him from throwing his hat into the ring for the Super Eagles coaching job.
In a conversation with Afrik-Foot, the former Enyimba FC goalkeeper clarified his stance, stating:
“No, no, no. It’s not that I am not interested; it’s just that I am not certified,” Enyeama said.
“For you to be able to coach the Super Eagles, you must be certified. That’s the minimum standard.
“That’s the number one reason, and the fact that I have been very busy developing and managing my hotel has taken a lot of my attention, and that business is the most important thing for me now.
“So football is like number two for me now unless just one day the Nigeria Football Federation says, ‘Please come and share your wealth of experience in this area with these players,’ then it becomes a different thing altogether.
“For now, I have to wait until I get the necessary certificate before I can say this is where I want to coach or the area where I can support the national teams.”
Enyeama reiterated his willingness to contribute to the national team’s success but emphasized the importance of acquiring the requisite certification before venturing into coaching.
