Super Eagles goalkeeping department has been a major source of concern for football-loving Nigerians since the exit of the most capped goalkeeper in the history of Nigeria football Vincent Enyeama.
Carl Ikeme showed he was ready to fill the big shoes left by Enyeama, but Leukemia cut that dream short.
Eagles selectors have tried out a rash of goalkeepers ever since, but it has been from one calamity to another.
The best Eagles goalkeepers were picked from the Nigeria league before they took their gloves to Europe.
Since the foreign-based goalkeepers from Maduka Okoye to Francis Uzoho the coaches relied on have let the nation down, it’s high time coach Jose Peseiro looked inwards and go back to the basis that usually gave us good goalkeepers.
Ike Shorunmu was called up to the Super Eagles in 1992, when he was with Concord FC Abeokuta and he did not disappoint.
Alloy Agu was the Eagles first choice goalkeeper at Algiers1990 AFCON at the time he was playing for ACB of Lagos.
Abiodun Baruwa, known as ‘Omo Alhaja’, was given his chance in the Eagles as a Shooting Stars shot stopper.
One of the best goalkeepers to have come out of Africa, Enyeama debuted for the Super Eagles in 2002 as Enyimba goalkeeper.
In fact he was thrown into the fray at the biggest stage – the World Cup 2002 – against England, he was a delight to watch in that game and as they say, the rest is now history.
‘The Cat’ Dele Aiyenugba debuted for the Super Eagles while he was playing for Enyimba.
The Super Eagles coaches in recent years have underrated the goalkeepers in Nigeria league as they were not given the chance to show what they can do.
The Nigeria league is still capable of giving us goalkeepers who can enjoy the confidence of the public.
Ojo Olorunleke of Enyimba proved himself with the Flying Eagles in 2015 and on the continent with Enyimba, but he only gets to sit on the bench whenever he is invited to Eagles.
Remo Stars goalkeeper Kayode Bankole has been on superb form for his club from last season till now.
Amas Obasogie of Bendel Insurance is another good goalkeeper who deserves his own chance with the national team.
The Super Eagles coaches should therefore get to work by looking inwards as this will be good for the team and that is not saying they should close the door on the active foreign-based goalkeepers, but not the bench warmers.
