Since Vincent Enyeama departed from international football in 2015, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been without a trustworthy goalkeeper.
The Super Eagles came the closest to finding a competent goalkeeper when Carl Ikeme was named to the national squad. However, his unexpected retirement in 2018 due to a health issue has left the team without a reliable goalie.
Francis Uzoho, who currently plays in Cyprus, has been the Super Eagles’ number one goalkeeper, although he has not been consistent because he is prone to unnecessary errors.
In his last 14 friendly games in Nigerian colors, he has conceded a record 22 goals, causing most Super Eagles fans to call for his departure before of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, which will begin in Ivory Coast in January 2024.
Maduka Okoye, his projected rival for the number one place, is yet to make an appearance for his new club, Udinese, this season.
In light of this, Naija News has created a list of four goalkeepers who could assist in resolving the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping woes.
The four goalkeepers are listed below:
- [LASK] Tobias Lawal
Four Goalkeepers Who Could Help the Super Eagles Resolve Their Goalkeeping Issues
Tobias Lawal is an Austrian-born goalkeeper with a Nigerian father and an Austrian mother, allowing him to play for the Super Eagles.
The 23-year-old, who wants to play for the Eagles, was invited to the Super Eagles once but was unable to attend owing to passport concerns.
He has only allowed seven goals in 11 appearances for Austrian Bundesliga club LASK this season, which is participating both domestically and in the Europa League.
Noah Atubolu (Freiburg) is second.
Four Goalkeepers Who Could Help the Super Eagles Resolve Their Goalkeeping Issues
Noah Atubolu was born in Nigeria to a Nigerian father and a German mother, making him eligible to play for the Super Eagles. He is presently a regular for the German Bundesliga club Freiburg.
So far this season, Atubolu has four clean sheets and 19 goals conceded in 12 appearances across all competitions.
Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano) 3rd
Four Goalkeepers Who Could Help the Super Eagles Resolve Their Goalkeeping Issues
Sebastian Osigwe, who was born in Nigeria to a Nigerian father and a Swiss mother, is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles at the age of 29.
Osigwe, who presently plays for Swiss team FC Lugano, has preserved 8 clean sheets in 33 games, assisting the club in winning the Swiss Cup in 2022.
IFK Varnamo’s Jonathan Rasheed
Mr. Jonathan Rasheed
Jonathan Rasheed has a Nigerian father and a Norwegian mother, yet he has stated his desire to play for the Super Eagles.
So far this season, the 31-year-old Norwegian-born goalie has had six clean sheets in 18 appearances.
