Before now, Nigeria was a country noted for having some of the best goalkeepers in Africa. It is a long history that is littered with some of the biggest names in the game. Sam Henshaw Ibiam, popularly known as The Black Magnet during his active days, was Nigeria’s pioneer goalkeeper.
Peter Rufai, regarded as one of the finest, crowned his sterling career with the 1994 AFCON trophy and two World Cup appearances with his country. Same goes for Vincent Enyeama, who remains as the last Nigerian goalkeeper whose presence between the sticks exuded stability and confidence in the defence line. The legendary Super Eagles stopper amassed 101 appearances for Nigeria between 2002 and 2015, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
Nigeria’s defeat to Tunisia in the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon was blamed on Maduka Okoye’s loss of concentration. He was found wanting when it mattered most. And so, the Super Eagles that were declared the best team of the group stages and clear favourites to win the tournament got knocked out in the Round of 16, by a Covid19-ravaged Tunisia team that were second best in their group. But the goalkeeping error may not be over stretched going by the tactical blunders of the bench.
Coach Jose Peseiro attributed the poor performances of Super Eagles goalkeepers to the barrage of attacks from Nigerians each time they kept for the team.I like our players when they make mistakes, it is my responsibility. The goalkeeper is never free or calm because of the people. I don’t know why they attack the goalkeepers every time.
Dosu said Peseiro’s statement that strikers miss goals, and are not criticised, meant he did not want his goalkeepers to be called out even when they make mistakes. Former Flying Eagles goalkeeper of the Saudi ’89 Dammam Miracle fame, Emeka Amadi is sympathetic with the Super Eagles goalkeepers. He said the barrage of attacks on Uzoho was not helpful at all.
“The thing is, we cannot perform any magic at the moment. That is why we come down to the league to work more with the goalkeepers. We can have better goalkeepers in the national team.” Noah Atobulu is a goalkeeper with Nigerian heritage. He has previously represented Germany at the youth level. Atobulu is a regular for Bundesliga side Freiburg. “He could provide competition for the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping role, especially when facing strong opponents like the Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau in the upcoming AFCON tournament.
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