Enyeama Rated Europe's 6th Best Goal Keeper

Former Super Eagles captain and Lille OSC goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has been rated the sixth best goalkeeper in Europe for the 2015/16 season by the Swiss-based CIES Football Observatory.

The former Super Eagles goalkeeper is the only African on the top 10 list, making him the best on the continent.

He was however behind the likes of Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Kevin Trapp (PSG), and Claudio Bravo (Barcelona).

Enyeama was rated higher than Tottenham's Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Areola of Villareal, Keylor Navas of Real Madrid and Pepe Reina of Napoli, who all made the list of top 10 shot stoppers across Europe's top Leagues.

The 33-year-old also received his nomination trophy for the Ligue 1 Team of the Year Award.

In France, the former Super Eagles star will contend with Steve Mandanda (Olympique Marseille), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint Germain) and Stephane Ruffier (Saint-Ettiene) for the Ligue 1 golden glove.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has beat the likes of David Degea of Manchester United, Petr Cech of Arsenal and Joe Hart of Manchester City in the list of the top 10 goalkeepers in Europe for the 2015/2016 season.

The ranking compiled by the Swiss-based CIES Football Observatory had Enyeama coming in an impressive sixth position on the list, Goal.com reports.

According to CIES Football Observatory, the ranking was done, taking into account the number of goals conceded per match, number of minutes per goal, number of passes per match, number of saves per match, number of saves per goal conceded and the percentage of saves.

After every all assessment, Enyeama finished in sixth place behind renowned goalkeepers like Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich, Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid, Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus, Kevin Trapp of PSG and Claudio Bravo of Barcelona.

Coming behind Enyeama on the list are Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris, Alphonse Areola of Villareal, Keylor Navas of Real Madrid and Pepe Reina of Napoli in the list of 10.

The 33-year-old recently missed out on winning silverware with Lille this season as they lost 2-1 to PSG in the French Cup final. Enyeama’s illustrious international career came to an abrupt end last year when he announced his retirement after a publicized fall out with former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh.

However, the Nigerian is a big favourite for the award as he has 21 clean sheets this season from 35 matches - a feat he capped with the best player award in Ligue 1 for the months of October and November.

Enyeama took to his Instagram handle to appreciate his family, fans, teammates and supporters for their support.

"From the depth of my heart, I want to say a very big thank you to God for this season," Enyeama wrote on his official Instagram page.

"My wife, kids, brothers, sister (family). A big thank you to all my co equippers, coaches, staff medical and equipment managers. The president, directors, co-ordinators, everyone that worked round the clock to make me become a better player and have a successful season, the amazing supporters/fans.

"Special mention is my goalie coach (Jean Pierre aka Mommote) Steeve Elana, Mike Maignan, Jean Butez. All the players from other clubs that nominated and voted me for this award. All the journalists and critics that set me on the right path. Thank you so much.

"Hopefully on the day, your votes will be enough for me to get the real trophy and not just the nomination trophy. Thank you, I appreciate."

The Ligue 1 team of the year nomination is Enyeama's second in three seasons.