Football
Colin Udoh, Special to ESPN 8y

Vincent Enyeama considering Nigeria future after Sunday Oliseh row

Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama's international future is in the balance after a bust-up with coach Sunday Oliseh on Tuesday night.

Enyeama arrived at the Nigeria camp on Tuesday, one day past Monday's deadline, after attending his mother's funeral over the weekend in his home town.

According to reports, Oliseh was unhappy about his captain's late arrival and demoted him at a team meeting after dinner, naming CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa as the new captain.

"I was surprised," Enyeama, who has 101 Nigeria caps to his name, told ESPN FC. "So I stood up to explain my position and ask for an explanation, but the coach asked me to sit down.

"I insisted on speaking because I felt that with the years of dedicated service I have given to the country I deserve at least the respect of giving my own side. But he told me that either the whole team would leave the room for me, or I would have to leave the room for the whole team."

It turned out to be the latter as the Lille goalkeeper was expelled from the camp. It took the intervention of Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick to resolve the situation and Enyeama was allowed to remain with the squad.

The goalkeeper has, however, indicated it is unclear if he will continue to represent Nigeria

"There has been a lot of incidents these last few months," he said. "I don't need it, the team does not need it, so maybe the best thing might be to step aside in the interest of the country so that the team can focus on football instead of distractions."

Enyeama withdrew from Oliseh's first squad following the passing of his mother, but officials were not pleased to see him turn out for Lille a week later.

Oliseh could not be reached for comment.

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