Ahead of Wednesday's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin, Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu has assured Nigerians that the trio of Maduka Okoye, Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa are capable of manning the goal post in the absence of injured goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho.
Uzoho, who was injured during the team's 1-1 draw against Five-time World Cup champions, the Samba Boys of Brazil last month (October) in an international friendly game, was left out from the list of goalkeepers that was invited by Super Eagles technical adviser, Gernot Rohr.
However, the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner told Soccernet.ng that the three goalkeepers are good enough to stand between the stick for the Super Eagles against the Squirrels of Benin.
“It is so sad that Francis Uzoho will not be part of the players that will face Benin and Lesotho in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. There is no doubt that we will miss him because he has always been of the team,” Alloy told Soccernet.ng.
“However, that doesn't mean that we don't have capable goalkeepers that man the goalpost for the team. The trio of Maduka Okoye, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi are tested and quality goalkeepers that have shown what they can offer.
“Anyone of the goalkeepers have the experience to hold their own against any opponents. At least, we have seen what Okoye can bring to the team when Nigeria played Brazil in an international friendly last month. And Akpeyi and Ezenwa are not new to us because they have always been part of the team.”
