Nigeria born former Tanzania national team assistant coach, Emeka Amadi has posited that contrary to fears expressed by Nigerians, the senior national team Super Eagles, have no goalkeeping problems, Completesports.com reports.
Amadi, himself a former Flying Eagles goalkeeper spoke exclusively to Completesports.com at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu, moments after Rangers came back from behind to edge out AS Pelicans of Gabon 3-1 in a CAF Confederation Cup match.
“I don’t share the view of many that Nigeria is in short supply of goalkeepers,” Amadi who is based in Germany stated.
“I don’t also believe that Super Eagles have goalkeeping problem.
“At the moment, we have (Francis) Uzoho, we have (Ikechukwu) Ezenwa, (Daniel) Akpeyi and also (Theophilus) Afelokhai.
“These are experienced and quality goalkeepers who could be relied upon at any given time.
“Now another goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been added. He is based in Germany, where I stay too.
“He’s a good goalkeeper and young too. So I don’t see any reason to think of goalkeeping issues in Super Eagles.
“Rather, one can say we are blessed to have them in numbers and in big clubs too, whether in the Nigeria League or in Europe”.
Uzoho who has remained Super Eagles top pick by coach Gernot Rohr picked up a knee injury during Super Eagles 1-1 draw against Brazil in an international friendly in Singapore.
Omonoia FC of Cyprus doctors have now confirmed Uzoho will have a long period out as a result of the injury.
Asked later if Uzoho’s recent injury has in anyway changed his earlier position, Amadi insists that the Super Eagles have other good goalkeepers, and remains optimistic that the current number one will recover and come back stronger.
“It’s unfortunate that Uzoho got injured and would be out for long”, Amadi said.
“I wish him quick recovery because I believe he’s still a young man and would be back and much better.
“But having said that, I still believe Nigeria has good goalkeepers.
“Look at (Maduka) Okoye, the young man based in Germany who replaced Uzoho [vs Brazil]. It was his first game for Nigeria and he did well.
“I’m happy for him having made his Nigeria debut. That’s why I said we don’t have goalkeeping problem.
“Anyone can come in and do well, it’s all about opportunity and support. We’ve the talents all over the World.
“Uzoho is injured and will not play in the next two Super Eagles Nations Cup qualifiers, the same way we discovered him is the same we have discovered another goalkeeper (Okoye).
“Okoye is good, he is learning very fast, also Ezenwa is an experienced goalkeeper. Experience is something you cannot buy anywhere.
“With Ezenwa and Okoye and may be another goalkeeper from the home based (Adamu) who is presently in the U23 Eagles are good enough to take us through the AFCON qualifiers.
“There could still be more goalkeepers in the various clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL,” Amadi enthused.
By Sab Osuji
