Super Eagles starting XI : Top three choices for goalkeeping position

Squad depth is a crucial part of any football team, either at club level or national team.

Having quality options in all positions is vital for any side aspiring to win laurels.

In this piece, Izuchukwu Michael looks at all positions in a team and offers a list of players suitable for the Super Eagles  starting with the goalkeepers today.

This is also includes players of Nigerian descent in diaspora who are eligible to play for Nigeria.

Goalkeepers:

Adebayo Adeleye : The Israel-based goalkeeper is new in the team.  He was rightly projected by the local media as a good addition to the team based on form.

Adeleye conceded a penalty in the 2-2 draw against the home-based Algerian national team side but that's his first goal conceded - and in an unofficial game.

The keeper's form for Hapoel Jerusalem proves that he is a worthy addition to the Eagles when the form and playing times of other keepers are considered.

Adebayo has played four league games so far this season posting three clean sheets. 

Francis Uzoho : The Omonia Nicosia glovesman has conceded 20 goals in the 25 matches that he has played for the Super Eagles since his debut against Argentina in a 4-2 friendly international win on 14 November 21017.

Uzoho had not played an awful lots of games for his club this season but his international experience so far stands him in good stead as long as he is fit.

Maduka Okoye : Previous Super Eagles coaching head coaches have not been fans of home-based goalkeepers. The NPFL have been bedeviled by so many issues. 

For now though, Maduka Okoye whose error of judgment at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon contributed to Nigeria's defeat by Tunisia in the round of 16 plus his latest gaffe in the test game against the home-based Algerian national team on Friday evening continues to get the call-ups.

The Nigerian football faithful have been critical of his sloppy performances but being a player of Watford in a relative competitive Championship in England when juxtaposed with the NPFL back home gives reason for some patience.

However should Okoye not improve and meet up with expectations when the AFCON qualifiers come around next year, he may be usurped by emerging goalkeepers like Arthur Okonkwo (Arsenal) and Joshua Oluwayemi (Portsmouth) and Mark Ugboh (FC Midtjylland).

Izuchukwu Michael
 

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