Nigeria captain announces retirement from international football

Captain of Nigeria's Super Eagles Vincent Enyeama said Thursday that he has quit international football after 13 years of national service.

Enyeama thanked his fans in Nigeria and across the globe as he announced his retirement via his official page on Instagram, saying he has fought a good fight (for Nigeria) for more than 13 years.

"I have finished my course, I have kept the faith and sang the (national) anthem with passion. Henceforth, I am no more the the captain of the Nigerian senior football team; I am no more the goalie of the team, I am no more available for international duties," he said.

His sudden retirement was not unexpected as the former Nigerian goalkeeper has been entangled in a row with national team coach, Sunday Oliseh. The team coach had assigned a new captain for the team on Tuesday, following a heated argument with Enyeama at the team's camp in Belgium.

The new captain of the team, Ahmed Musa, will lead the Super Eagles in a friendly match with DR Congo later on Thursday.

"It's been the most trying period of my life but I know that Nigerians are there for me," Enyeama said while commenting on the consequence of his altercation with coach Oliseh.

Born on Aug. 29, 1982, Enyeama, who plays for French club side Lille OSC, won gold medal at the 2013 African Football Championship and was nominated for African Footballer of the year and CAF goalkeeper of the year awards, among others. Endi