The three Super Eagles goalkeepers to the 2019 AFCON have some international experience and they will all be battling for the No 1 shirt with South Africa-based Daniel Akpeyi most likely to get the nod ahead of Francis Uzoho, who was the preferred choice at last year’s World Cup.
Daniel AKPEYI
Age: 32
Club: Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa)
Caps: 10
Debut: vs South Africa (2015)
Towering Daniel Akpeyi appears to have grabbed the starter’s gloves ahead of Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa. Has been in the team since he became a full international in 2015, grabbing a man of the match performance in a friendly against South Africa. He will be remembered for his howler against Argentina in the famous 4-2 victory in the friendly in Russia ahead of the World Cup. Strong showing in the PSL ensured he stayed in the Eagles’ reckoning. Will now be expected to hold down his position ahead of Uzoho and Ezenwa at Egypt 2019.
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Francis UZOHO
Age: 20
Club: Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus)
Caps: 13
Debut: vs Argentina (2017)
The youngster surprised everyone by grabbing the number 1 jersey for his country at the Russia 2018 World Cup, while he continued to play bit part roles at Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna. Unconvincing display against little Seychelles in March led to public outcry concerning his reliability and would probably lead to his losing the top spot to Akpeyi.
Ikechukwu EZENWA
Age: 30
Club: Katsina United (Nigeria)
Caps: 17
Debut: vs Tanzania (2015)
Ezenwa, the only home-based player in the squad, became the first choice on goal under Sunday Oliseh after erstwhile number one Carl Ikeme became unavailable through sickness. He was superb in the crucial 2018 World Cup AFCON qualifier against Cameroon in Uyo as Nigeria recorded a famous 4-0 win. However, he gave away a needless penalty in the reverse leg in Yaoundé. A string of tentative displays thereafter have confined him to number three in the pecking order. This has not been helped by a knee injury he suffered in training camp in Asaba earlier this month.
