Lille president, Gérard Lopez has disagreed with the French Ligue 1 side coach, Christophe Galtier who earlier suggested that former Nigeria international goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama is not getting games this season because he fell out with the leadership of the club.
The majority shareholder of Lille says the goalkeeper was injured at the start of this season, which explains the coaches’ decision not to bring him into the first team squad.
”It’s pretty factual. At the beginning of the season, Vincent Enyeama was injured. Is this a problem between the club and him? I do not think so but he took a long time to come back,” Lopez said to Radio Monte Carlo FM.
”You only have to see the moment when he was able to play his first match with the CFA reserve. I know he’s loved by the fans. I understand why. I have a lot of respect and understanding for that.
”We are in trouble and we have a cloakroom of young people. I totally understand that we support Vincent. Except that, factually speaking, he was injured most of the season. ”
Gérard Lopez has stressed that he will not veto the decision of manager Galtier if Enyeama is recalled to the first team.
”I do not have any problems if Christophe Galtier chooses him to play instead of Koffi or Maignan.”
”For me, it’s a false debate. I do not think I would hang up the phone if Christophe called me tomorrow to tell me that Vincent had to come back,” he concluded.
As a result of Enyeama’s inactivity at the French club, Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has stated that the experienced goalkeeper will not be on the plane to Russia as a member of the 2018 Super Eagles World Cup roster.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
