With Nigeria having a mini crisis in the area of goalkeepers with the suspension of first choice Francis Uzoho for the next round of AFCON qualifiers games, head coach Jose Peseiro is no doubt looking for options.
The regular second choice Maduka Okoye is having a season he will like to forget in a hurry at Watford with just two cup games to his name all season long. He has also dropped down the pecking order to the role of third choice at the English Championship side.
Victor Sochima and Chijioke Anigboso were the two shot stoppers picked by Peseiro as deputy to Uzoho during the last round of games and it’s certain that one or both of them will still be in the mix, when the team regroup for the final two games of the qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe respectively.
OGN editor in chief Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman takes a look at the options the Portuguese coach should be considering ahead of the games in June.
Stanley Nwabali – He isn’t new to the international set up as he has trained with the senior national team of Nigeria on several occasions. Now at South Africa PSL side Chippa United, he has recovered from losing his first choice spot to keeping goal in their last three games. The 26 year old is seen as one of the key players for his side.
Adebayo Adeleye – His case is a bit confusing. From Gernot Rohr to Jose Peseiro he has been seen as a nothing more than a back up despite his fine form in Israel for Hapoel Jerusalem. Since keeping goal in the 2-2 draw against the B team of Algeria he has been in the cooler.
However the time to give him a look in is now with 22 games to his name this season with eight clean sheets. The 22 year old leads the race for a call up.
Sebastian Osigwe – Forgotten it seems but still very much relevant at Swiss side FC Lugano. Over the weekend he made his 7th appearance of the season in his team’s 0-1 loss to Grasshoppers. He isn’t new to the Nigerian set up and at the age of 27 and three years in the Swiss top division, it’s only normal for him to be considered by Peseiro.
Ovie Ejeheri – Speculations has it that he was among the players who met with Peseiro during his trip to England. He was a revelation during his loan spell at Chelmsford from Arsenal.
He hasn’t hit the same height for Finnish top division side SJK Seinäjoki. At the age of 19 and expected to be back at Arsenal next season. It’s clear to see that he has a very high ceiling for development hence reason why he should be tracked for a possible call up.
Arthur Okonkwo – The 21 year old tops the list in terms of who looks like a top goalkeeper in the making. This season he has played 40 games already across his two loan spells with League two side Crewe and also Austrian top division side Sturm Graz.
In Austria he has kept three clean sheets in seven games. The major problem in his case is that he requires a switch of nationality process after representing England at youth levels. Another concern is if the Arsenal owned shot stopper is willing to commit to Nigeria.
