Nigeria captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama earned his 100th cap on Wednesday but the Ugandans spoiled the party for the Lille LOSC custodian as the Super Eagles suffered a 1-0 loss at the Akwa Ibom Stadium in Uyo.
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Enyeama became the 23rd African and only the second Nigerian men’s footballer to reach the magic 100-mark of appearances.
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The Lille goalkeeper now joins an exclusive list that boasts Ahmed Hassan, Hossam Hassan, Essam El-Hadary, Rigobert Song, Ibrahim Hassan, Hany Ramzy, Didier Zokora, Geremi, Samuel Eto’o and Kolo Toure, who have 100 or more caps for their countries.
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Others with 100 caps plus are Noureddine Naybet, Abdel-Zaher El-Saqua, Wael Gomaa, Ahmed El-Kass, Aaron Mokoena, Joseph Musonda, Radhi Jaidi, Ahmed Fathi, Nader El-Sayed, Didier Drogba, Elijah Tana and former Nigerian captain Joseph Yobo.
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But the 32-year-old was left with a bitter pill to swallow after achieving the milestone in his hometown in Akwa Ibom.
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As he looked back on his 13-year international spell he admitted he has had “ups and downs,” and even acknowledged that he would have to call it quits at some point.
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“I really appreciate God for this feat. I want to say thank you to all Nigerians at home and in the diaspora for this achievement. But it is a great disappointment [to lose on a day like this] but that is football. It is a team with new players, it is going to take time for us to blend.
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“I mean 13 years in these colours have not been easy. There have been ups and downs throughout all this time. I have to stop at some point. Hundred in the bag, I am going to sit with the coaches and sort things out,” Enyeama said.
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Enyeama made his debut in 2002 against Kenya’s Harambee Stars.
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He has gone on to feature in four editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2013 when Nigeria won the tournament in South Africa.
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The former Enyimba man has played the most number of Fifa World Cup matches (10) by any Nigerian. He has appeared in the 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
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