Enyeama is my Idol not Onana – Super Eagles goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye reveals
Super Eagles goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye has revealed that despite comparison to Cameroonian goalkeeper Andre Onana, Nigeria legend Vincent Enyeama is his Idol.
The Hapoel Jerusalem shot-stopper was celebrated after his International debut for the Super Eagles in the 2-3 away win over Sierra Leone in Monrovia, to seal 2023 AFCON qualification for Nigeria.
In a chat with PUNCH, Adeleye who is widely tipped as long-term heir to Vincent Enyeama between the posts for Nigeria, listed what he shares with Manchester United FC target Andre Onana before mentioning he models his game after his countryman.
Adeleye said ” It’s good to be compared with one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment (Onana).
“We are both Africans doing great things over there.
“He carries a dreadlock and my hairstyle looks similar as well and we are both handsome as well.
“But I’m completely different. We play in a different league.
” I try to do my job and try to learn more to reach his level because he is one of the best in the world.
“He (Onana) is a ball-playing goalkeeper who is so confident on the ball with his feet and I like to watch him a lot.
“It is good to be compared with a top goalkeeper in the world like him but I have always loved watching Enyeama because he is my idol.
” They both have different qualities which I try to adapt during match situations. ” Adebayo Adeleye concluded.
Vincent Enyeama remains one of the greatest goalkeepers in African history, in fact, the former Lille shot-stopper was rated as the Greatest African Goalkeeper of All-time by IFFHS.
Following the momentum that heralded his debut, Adebayo Adeleye is hoping to follow in Vincent Enyeama’s footsteps by becoming Nigeria’s undisputed first choice goalkeeper.
Enyeama Nigeria’s 101-cap goal-tender maintained the first-choice spot for over a decade until his unceremonious retirement from International Football in 2015 following a row with then Super Eagles handler Sunday Oliseh.
Like Enyeama, Adebayo Adeleye is making waves in the Israeli Premier League, his performances in the build-up to the 2023 AFCON will determine if he permanently displaces the duo of Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye who have been blighted by inconsistency between the sticks for Nigeria.
