7 most memorable moments of goalkeeper's Super Eagles career

Super Eagles now former captain and goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has announced his retirement from the national team.

Following his resignation, bring you the five most memorable moments of his Super Eagles career.

1. Debut

Vincent Enyeama made his debut for the Super Eagles in an international friendly against Kenya in 2002.

As a local based goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama was invited by then Super Eagles coach Chief Festus Onigbinde and started in the friendly game that was played at the National Stadium in Lagos.

Vincent Enyeama's debut for the Super Eagles was also a positive one with Nigeria running out 3-0 winners on that day.

That debut introduced arguably Nigeria's greatest ever goalkeeper to the Super Eagles.

2. World Cup debut

After losing their first two matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, coach of the then Super Eagles, Chief Festus Onigbinde called up Vincent Enyeama to replace then number one goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu for their third match.

Vincent Enyeama was handed his competitive and Wold Cup debut against England who had one of the best footballers of that time in David Beckham.

He kept out a David Beckham's freekick-which was a huge deal at that time- and also save a shot from Paul Scholes.

The Super Eagles held England to a draw same way Enyeama held the number one goalkeeping slot of the Super Eagles from that time.

3. Slip against Angola

Vincent Enyeama missed out on a second World appearance after he slipped off and conceded a heartbreaking equalizer in a World Cup Qualifying match against Angola in Kano in 2005.

The Super Eagles needed a win against Angola to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The Super Eagles had lost to Angola in Luanda and needed to win at home to gain the head to head advantage leading to the last match of the qualifying series.

Enyeama however slipped and conceded a freekick goal from the Angolans.

The Angolans went on to qualify for the World Cup with a head to head advantage over Nigeria.

4. Saves versus Messi

Vincent Enyeama finally made his second World Cup appearance in South Africa 2010 and in his first match of the tournament he was up against reigning World Footballer of the year, Lionel Messi.

The Argentine magician was bookmaker's favourite to score but Enyeama had other plans.

The goalkeeper went on to have one of his best games of his life as he kept out wave after wave of Messi's attack.

Even though Argentina won via a Gabriel Heinze header, keeping the world’s most talented footballer quiet was a huge deal.

“I can tell you that is one match I will always remember. I was highly inspired, and although we lost, I was selected the Man of the Match. We lost 0-1 but Lionel Messi did not score. That was some sort of joy for me,” he told the NFF website in a recent interview.

5. 2013 African Nations Cup win

Vincent Enyeama finally got his first medal in his Super Eagles career.

Though he was not the captain, Vincent Enyeama still led Stephen Keshi's young guns to Nigeria's third African Cup of Nations title.

Saves in the quarter finals against  Cote d'Iviore, and in the final against stubborn Burkina Faso ensure that Nigeria finally got their hands on the trophy for the first time since 1994.

6. 100th cap

Vincent Enyeama hit 100 caps for Nigeria in a friendly against Uganda in Uyo back in March, 2015.

The Lille of France shotstopper and joined Joseph Yobo are the only players that have represented Nigeria 100 times.

He was honored with a special plaque on his 100th appearance by then Akwa Ibom governor Godswill Akpabio and NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

7. Retirement

After 13 years with the national team, Enyeama called time on his involvement with the Super Eagles.

His retirement from the Super Eagles follows his clash with coach Sunday Oliseh who stripped him of his captaincy.

Enyeama and Oliseh were said to have clashed in the Super Eagles base at the Hotel Verviers in Belgium.

Watch Vincent Enyeama's saves against Lionel Messi, below