Norwegian-Swedish-Nigerian GK Rasheed says it would be an honour to represent Super Eagles; praises Osimhen

Experienced Värnamo goalkeeper Jonathan Rasheed has revealed that he would be willing to represent Nigeria's senior national team if called up by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Rasheed is a tri-national player as he is eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his father, Norway through his Norwegian mother and Sweden where he was born.

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro has one problem to take care of before the start of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and 2026 World Cup qualifiers - the search for a reliable goalkeeper. 

Since the retirement of former Wolverhampton Wanderers glovesman Carl Ikeme, who registered an impressive seven clean sheets in his ten appearances for the Super Eagles, Nigeria have not been able to find the replacement they had hoped for. 

Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho have often been criticized for their performances and their form have dipped in recent months due to a lack of playing opportunities at Udinese and Omonia Nicosia respectively. 

Amidst the clamor by a section of the Super Eagles fans for Rasheed to be invited to the Super Eagles, allnigeriasoccer.com asked the goalkeeper for clarity on where his international future lies.

"That’s nice, that means I’ve been doing something good. Since I was little I’ve wanted to represent the Super Eagles," Rasheed said to allnigeriasoccer.com.

"I haven’t had any contact personally with the Nigerian Federation or coaching staff but a couple of years ago I think there were some kind of discussions.

"It’s been a good season for me and my team.  I’m a goalkeeper that likes to be involved in the game with my feet and a shot-stopper with good reflexes, always talking to my teammates to help them."

The 31-year-old Rasheed keeps abreast of developments in the Super Eagles and reckons that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is the X-factor player in the squad. 

"When I get the chance I watch the games but I always check the score and Victor Osimhen impresses me the most. He has been one of the best players In the world and he can score on anything.

"Iker Casillas was always my role model but I try to learn from all goalkeepers. It would be an honor to represent the Super Eagles," Rasheed added.

Gothenburg-born Rasheed won the Swedish Allsvenskan title with BK Hacken in 2022, and lists Follo, Ljungskile, IF Sylvia and Stabæk among his previous clubs.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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