Until this morning, I stood firmly by Vincent Enyeama’s case, fighting his case, shouting down critics and subtly hanging Sunday Oliseh out to dry.

I am a huge fan of Enyeama and I must admit there is a bit of bias and/or sentiment about it.

I talked, tweeted and trumpeted how the former national team captain would be like the biblical Moses.

Listening to a update on YouTube, where he shared his version of the story, one can see Enyeama did not exactly walk out smelling of roses.

And here are three reasons why I think Oliseh should be cut some slack:

1. Discipline

Like he pointed in the 15-minute clip, Enyeama seems to have a record of clashing with Super Eagles managers. He did so in 2008 with Berti Vogts, as well as when Samson Siasia was in charge. Oliseh pointed out: “In 2008, he was dropped to second or third goalkeeper because of this and under Sammy (Siasia), he also had problems”. So may be it is an Enyeama problem.

2. Retirement

From the time Oliseh took over the Eagles team, he appeared keen to talk to Enyeama – who was the captain then – to share his philosophy, plans and policy about the new era. But all the Lille man kept repeating was retirement. It appears Vinny already had his mind set ages ago.

3. Sentiment

Oliseh insists that he does not have personal issues with Enyeama. When his mother died and the team travelled to Tanzania for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, only a CAF rule stood prevented the players from wearing black arm bands in honour of Enyeama’s late mother. Even when he arrived Belgium on Tuesday, Oliseh claims he was excited to see the keeper and hugged him.

Who knows? Maybe its an Enyeama problem all along.

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Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

‘Ifreke Inyang tweets via @Ifreke