Former Nigeria defender, Taribo West, has called for the return of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to the Super Eagles.
The 33-year-old Lille keeper retired from the national team following a disagreement with former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh.
Enyeama was during the week ranked the sixth best goalkeeper in the world by football statistics body, CIES Observatory.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner was also nominated for the Best Goalkeeper award in Ligue 1.
Taribo condemned the circumstances leading to Enyeama’s retirement from the Eagles, saying the Nigeria Football Federation should plead with him to return to the national team.
“Nigeria is a country where heroes are not appreciated and it is painful,” the former Inter Milan player told our correspondent during the week.
“Nigerians should beg Enyeama to return to the Eagles and let him retire properly. He is the country’s most capped football player. It is evident that he still has a lot to offer the country.
“The Eagles currently lack that leader figure among them and it is evident in the way they are playing. The young players need to learn a lot from Enyeama. The awards and rankings he got this week have shown that he still very good.
“Also, apart from Joseph Yobo, who is planning a testimonial for himself with some corporate bodies, no ex-international has been properly retired and they are all bitter towards the system.