Enyeama's lack of tact jeopardizes his legacy

goal.com

The veteran goalkeeper felt he was within his rights to speak up on behalf of his team-mates, but in doing so displayed a worrying lack of understanding and tactfulness.

Vincent Enyeama, who on Saturday earned his 101st cap and, in doing so, set an appearance record for the Super Eagles, is in bad odour with the NFF. First of all, let us begin with what we know.

We know that, three days before the 2017 Afcon qualifier against Chad, the national team captain made the following statement in an interview with Brila FM: “I am not satisfied with the choice of Kaduna; you know I’m a very outspoken person and I say what I want to say at any time.

“I don’t like the choice of Kaduna based on what is happening in the country but then the Government knows exactly what to do to make us safe.

“My concern is not because it’s Kaduna but because of the security thing because I really don’t care where we play as long as there is going to be security; safety of the players and everyone coming to watch the match.”

We know that on Monday, two days after the game, the NFF issued a query to Enyeama, asking that he report to them and explain his utterances.

This is unfortunately the limit of what we know. From here, the story diverges into two parallel narratives. In the one, Enyeama issues a public apology and backs down; in the other, he tears the NFF query into multiple pieces in defiance.

By the way, we know something else. NFF Head of Media, Demola Olajire, refused to engage on the subject when contacted by Goal.

The pressing question here, going on the facts we can certify to be accurate, is whether or not Enyeama should have said what he did. It is not, as some have construed, whether he was justified in raising concerns. He is the team captain, and entirely within his responsibility to act as an emissary between the team and, first the coach, and in certain cases, the NFF.

Were his concerns valid? In many ways, yes. There have been bombings in Northern Nigeria, Kaduna specifically; the latest being on the 23rd of July last year, believed to have targeted the President Muhammadu Buhari, then on the campaign trail. Naturally, it is expected there would be some concerns in the back of some players’ minds.

However, both his timing and tact can be called into question.

Enyeama | Concerns about Kaduna should've been kept out of the public sphere

To begin with, it is unclear what he felt this statement could possibly achieve. It was never a possibility that the venue of the game would be changed three days prior. Was this intended as some kind of storm warning then, a rallying cry to security operatives? What good did Enyeama feel would come of this? The only thing this would accomplish is potentially alienate the local fans; imagine paying money to see your national team stars who have gone on record saying they would rather be playing somewhere else.

Secondly, as captain of the team, he is in a very unique position. In as much as he feels the need to be outspoken, the flipside is that his statements carry greater weight, as he is rightly perceived to speak for the team. So, what he was really saying was that the team was not satisfied with Kaduna. 

This indicates some break in communication somewhere, considering the fact that it was national team coach Stephen Keshi who himself selected the venue. What gain was there in contradicting his coach in public? As national team captain, Enyeama should know he is not in a position to “say what he wants to say at any time.” He has responsibilities and obligations to the team, and that includes the coaching staff as well.

Finally, his statements displayed a lack of diplomacy and political nous. As a result of the NFF’s financial situation (whether this is self-inflicted is another day’s matter), the Super Eagles effectively play games as guests of the state government. If there were any concerns, they could have been addressed and allayed privately. Making a public declaration of dissatisfaction with security arrangements was not only a barb at the NFF, but also at the government of Kaduna State. In this light, it is no wonder that the Governor is believed to have been deeply displeased, and had to be coaxed to attend the game at all.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick also saw fit to issue a statement smoothing things over and stating his belief that Kaduna would hold no problems at all. You do not receive a man’s hospitality and spit his food in his face.

It is a shame that this sort of ugliness has escalated to the point where it now threatens Enyeama’s international future. Already, he has stated his desire to retire after the 2017 Afcon, and he will do so as (one of) Nigeria’s finest ever goalkeeper(s). To sully his legacy in this way this close to his curtain call leaves a bad taste in the mouth.