Nigeria goalkeeper Dele Alampasu has been unveiled by Maltese outfit, Pieta Hotspurs, reports Completesports.com.
Alampasu linked up with Pieta Hotspurs from Latvian Virsliga giants, FK Ventspils.
The 25-year-old joined Ventspils in February 2020 and made six league appearances for the club.
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Alampasu previously featured for Portuguese clubs, Feirense and Cesarense.
The goalkeeper came into limelight after representing Nigeria U-17 at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup, winning the Golden Glove award, as the Golden Eaglets won their fourth U17 World Cup.
He made his senior debut for Nigeria against the Hawks of Togo in June 2017.
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COMMENTS
LMFAO!!!
PIZZA abi na PIETA self. Wait.. Is this a NAME of a FOOTBALL CLUB or a NAME of a RESTAURANT or FOOD???
LMFAO!!!
What KIND of DEAL is this?
Oh GOD! Why can’t BIG CLUBS NOTICE our PLAYERS?
Apart from OSIMEHN, EVERYBODY na MUSHROOM CLUB
SMH…
*Can Dele Alampasu Revive His Ailing Super Eagles Career?*
Unsettled former FIFA U17 Golden Glove winner, Dele Alampasu, who sealed his move to Pieta Hotspur FC in Malta this week, will surely be eyeing an ambitious and unlikely return to the Super Eagles.
I still remember vividly in 2020, fans like Chairmanfemi (who sadly no longer comments here) and myself jumped for joy when the same Alampasu signed for Latvian giants Ventspil.
That move did earn him Super Eagles invitation to friendlies against Tunisia and Algeria (a defeat that earned the unpopular Gernot Rohr the sobriquet ‘Belmadi’s Boy’ among a group disgruntled and disaffectionate fans at the time).
But his time in Latvia was largely forgettable with poor record in front of goal culminating in him losing his starting 11 spot at one point. For example, in his last 5 games for Ventspil in 2021, Alampasu conceded 11 goals as the team won none of those games – no greater indications of his dwindling fortunes between the sticks needed be sought.
Fans and foes alike where left scratching their heads because if Alampasu couldn’t make headway in such a lowly league as Latvia, would any sane national team coach want to entrust him with Super Eagles responsibilities?
Alampasu soon disappeared in Latvia with many speculating he had been sacked for poor returns in goal, but the truth was very different.
Alampasu would have stayed in the club. However, on 9 June 2021, UEFA banned FK Ventspils from participating in UEFA club competitions for the next seven years (i.e. up to and including the 2027–28 season) for violating UEFA regulations related to “fraud, bribery and/or corruption” and for “violation of the integrity of matches and competitions”.
Alampasu and the entire team had to seek employment elsewhere. With his leaky palms and gloves full of holes, Alampasu found it hard to secure employment in Latvia.
Now he has secured a contract in Malta.
He last took to the pitch for Nigeria way back in 2017 in a friendly match against Togo. He was also in Keshi’s 2014 bronze winning chan squad.
Does this 25 year old itinerant, once promising, goalkeeper now have a chance for future national team call up?
For me, Alampasu’s chances are wafer thin.
The Maltese league is nowhere as competitive as the English Championship, Cypriot league or the Isreal Premier league where the current crop of Super Eagles goalkeepers get their gloves dirty.
It is even probable that Nigeria Professional Football League goalkeepers might even be considered ahead of Alampasu. Hence why Jose Peseiro is scouring the league with a fine tooth comb. In recent times, the only NPFL slot in the main Super Eagles has been reserved for goalkeepers (Ezenwa and Noble come to mind).
But, if indeed Alampasu pulls up trees with breath-taking deft defying saves and all round attention grabbing performances in Malta, then the pendulum of national team invitations might miraculously swing his way.
Chairmanfemi, if you are reading this, I join you in praying for your boy again! 🙂
Hahahahahaha…
When a man of standard was in charge we didn’t appreciate him, he brought a standard (only top 5 league players are good enough to play for super eagles)… this standard would have help shape our boys but we foolishly join those greedy pot tummy soccer politicians and force him to invite every tom and dik, as if that wasn’t enough, we set an evil trap for him & finally chase him out of the office.
Today look at where our boys are considered good enough to play.
Very soon our boys would be moving to countries like JERUSALEM, JORDAN, IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN to play professional football.
Meanwhile BARCA Just signed KESSIE from AC MILAN but our boys are hyped materials good enough for average teams in Europe and after we expect to win wc.
Oh!, this guy should have been our no 1 goalkeeper by now. He benched Francis uzoho at the 2013 u-17 world cup in UAE, which the Eaglets emerged champions.
Good luck dele, i know it’s not easy for keepers to secure jobs at top clubs. I pray someday the doors will surely open