Odegbami names Enyeama as best Eagles goalkeeper

Former Super Eagles captain Segun Odegbami has named Vincent Enyeama as the best goalkeeper Nigeria has ever had. He put Enyeama ahead of Emmanuel Okala and Best Ogedegbe, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Odegbami shared his thoughts on the Play Zone podcast. The hosts asked him to choose between Okala, Ogedegbe, and Enyeama. He discussed the strengths of each goalkeeper before making his choice.

"They are all great goalkeepers. None is perfect. Each one has their strengths and weaknesses," Odegbami said on the Play Zone Podcast.

"Okala came at a time when there were no tall goalkeepers in the world. He was more intimidating than actually skilled in goalkeeping. When he was there, you were so afraid of him and you lost your position. He was great, the greatest in Africa.

"But when it comes to a goalkeeper who is a player, that’s Best Ogedegbe. He could have played for the national team as a centre-forward. He was that good.

"Vincent comes close. Vincent read the game during his time, so he didn’t need to do all the flying. He was very calculative and very intelligent. When he was there, you were confident.

"They are all good, but I will give it to Vincent."

Ogedegbe and Okala were Odegbami’s teammates when Nigeria won their first Africa Cup of Nations title on home soil in 1980. Odegbami played a key role in that victory, scoring twice in Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Algeria in the final. He ended the tournament as joint-top scorer with three goals.

The former player for Ibadan Housing Corporation and Shooting Stars Sports Club scored 23 goals in 46 matches for Nigeria. He is the third all-time top scorer for Nigeria, behind the late Rashidi Yekini with 37 goals and Victor Osimhen with 35 goals.

Enyeama joined the national team in May 2002. He made his competitive debut at the 2002 World Cup, playing in Nigeria’s last group game against England. He later became a key player for the national team, making 101 appearances before he retired from international football in 2015. He was also part of the Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.