Vincent Enyeama, regarded as one of Africa’s greatest goalkeepers, has an illustrious career with numerous records.

He earned over 100 caps for the Nigerian national team, holding the record for most clean sheets in Africa Cup of Nations history.

Enyeama was named the Greatest African Goalkeeper of All Time by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

His remarkable performances at clubs like Lille in France and his penalty-saving feats further solidify his legacy as a world legendary figure in football history.

Meanwhile, a tweet from X user @cagiago_, asking ‘Has there ever been a good black goalkeeper?’ attempted to undermine the hard-earned reputation of legends like Enyeama but ended up igniting widespread backlash due to its racist implication.

The tweet, accompanied by a picture of André Onana, has drawn sharp criticism from users on the platform, many of whom have pointed out the impressive records of renowned African goalkeepers like Nigeria’s Vincent Enyeama.

In response to the controversial statement, several X users came to the defense of Enyeama, a goalkeeper celebrated for his outstanding career across Europe, including over 20 goals scored.

@Traviswurld, for instance, reminded the public that Enyeama had been named the Greatest African Goalkeeper of All Time by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), adding that Enyeama’s feat of saving four penalties in a single match was nothing short of legendary.

Meanwhile, other users further ridiculed the notion, noting the achievements of several African goalkeepers.

@UglyNenge commented, “Vincent Enyeama was a great goalkeeper in his time… His black… So yes, there has been,” reinforcing the fact that race should not be a factor in evaluating the skill and accomplishments of goalkeepers.

@kelvin04558416 also listed several other notable black goalkeepers, including Thomas N’Kono, Mike Maignan, and Carlos Kameni, arguing that the question was a narrow view of a broader history.

Some users took a more direct approach to challenge the question’s racial overtones.

@sammyhsu_9 pointed out that critics of Onana should focus on individual performance, not skin color, remarking, “At these ages still being racist.”

In a strongly worded response, @Baba_nla_of_Ib condemned the ignorance around Enyeama’s legacy, noting that Enyeama’s individual records surpassed those of many celebrated European goalkeepers, including Edwin van der Sar. He declared, “The greatest ever goalkeeper to ever come out of Africa is Enyeama, and it’s not even close.”

@ChrysVianney, responding, expanded the conversation, listing notable African and international goalkeepers such as Dida, Bernard Lama, and Edouard Mendy, while defending Onana, saying, “Besides, Onana is a good goalkeeper… stop making fun of us.”

Finally, @BongaMac10 criticized those who disregarded the accomplishments of past African greats like Enyeama, suggesting that their views were shaped by ignorance or racism.

The tweet has sparked an important conversation about race, skill, and representation in football, with many fans reiterating the need to evaluate players based on their performance rather than their race.

As the debate continues, it remains clear that the world of football has long been shaped by the contributions of black athletes—who, like Enyeama, are deserving of recognition beyond the limitations of such reductive questions.