Nigerian goalkeeper quits national team

Nigeria's international goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has quit international football following his rift with team head coach Sunday Oliseh.

The relationship between Enyeama and Oliseh had gone sour following the removal of the goalkeeper as the team's captain and the choice of Ahmed Musa of CSKA Moscow as the new skipper.

The quarrel had erupted on Tuesday at the team's camp in Belgium where it was preparing for two friendly matches billed for Thursday and Sunday, against DR Congo and Cameroon respectively.

Enyeama had reported late to the camp, after staying back in Nigeria last weekend to witness the burial of his mother in Uyo, southern Akwa Ibom State.

But having missed the team's last set of games against Tanzania and Niger, Oliseh said there was a need to have a player who was regular as the captain.

Oliseh had also pointed out that the performance of Musa in recent matches earned him the captain's band.

Following the latest development, Enyeama, said on his Instagram page on Thursday that it was time to quit international football.

"I have fought a good fight for more than 13 years; I have finished my course. I have kept the faith and sang the anthem with passion."

"There is a crown for me which only God can reward me for my 13 years of national service."

"Henceforth, I am no more the captain of the Nigerian senior football team; I am no more the goalie of the team, I am out of the team; I am no more available for international duties."

"I want to say thank you to every Nigerian football fan and supporter worldwide.

"It's been the most trying period of my life but I know that Nigerians are there for me and God is with me; God bless Nigeria."

Felix Anyansi-Agwu, a members of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, had said on Wednesday that the squabble between Oliseh and Enyeama had been settled, noting that it was an internal matter. Endit