Super Eagles goalkeeper coach, Alloy Agu, has confirmed that the next assignment for the department is to find a lasting solution to the team’s goalkeeping issues.
Nigeria’s coach Gernot Rohr is unsure who his safest pair of hands is with the German tactician deploying Francis Uzoho at the 2018 World Cup, only to throw Daniel Akpeyi into the deep end at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
The Super Eagles returned from the continental championship with a bronze medal but many fans were disappointed with the performance of the team’s Number 1 goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi.
Shocking positioning by the @NGSuperEagles goalkeeper Akpeyi, you dont see this sort of defending even at the academy level#ALGNGA#ALGNIG#AFCON#riyadmahrez pic.twitter.com/BiiPPJiZCB
— Bravehearts TMC (@BraveheartsTMC) July 14, 2019
The duo of Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa took turns to concede 7 times in six games in Egypt allowing at least two goals past them in three of those matches.
https://www.twitter.com/theDamorela/status/1150513210107277312
Those are not championship-winning statistics and fans were quick to show their displeasure at a key department holding the Super Eagles back.
Aloysius Agu, a member of Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON winning squad, is the man credited with introducing Carl Ikeme to replace Vincent Enyeama in the national team.
The former international has once again been saddled with task of finding formidable goal tenders to take over from the inconsistent trio selected for AFCON 2019.
Speaking to footballlive.ng, Agu was quoted as saying,
“A lot of things have been said about that department and that department has also lived up to expectations (before the AFCON).
“Before I took up the job of the Super Eagles, Enyeama was the fourth choice goal keeper of the team.”
“Enyeama became first choice under my watch.
“He has a record since inception of our World Cup campaign that non after him has been able to break until date.”
“When Enyeama left the show, I brought in Carl Ikeme.
Like, Comment & Retweet if u miss him. Our best goalkeeper after Enyeama. His one arm is better than the 3shitty keepers naija brought to this AFCON. Precisely Akpeyi & Ezenwa.😤😤
#ALGNGA pic.twitter.com/OtcyvWpfPX
— CeLEbRiTy🌟mAhDMaN😎 (@ChoiManchi1) July 14, 2019
“Ikeme did so well for Nigeria, that goalkeeping position was solidified, until he fell sick and I had to bring in the Daniel Akpeyi.
“At one time we played against Algeria in the World Cup qualifiers, the same Akpeyi rescued us and we beat the Algerian team that was number one in Africa at the time.
“So, this is the situation, now we’re working and I can tell you categorically that, I have embarked with the scouting team on a search within and outside Nigeria to make sure that we get reliable hands that can solidify that goalkeeping position in the Super Eagles.”
