Crystal Palace’s young goalkeeper, Owen Goodman, visited Nigeria Football Federation President, Ibrahim Gusau, at the Glass House on Friday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Goodman, who has a Nigerian mother and a British father, is eligible to play for Nigeria, England, and Canada.
The NFF had previously tried to bring the 20-year-old into Nigeria’s under-20 squad in 2023, but he did not accept the invitation.
Goodman at the time expressed a desire to play for England and was invited to join England’s under-20 team on March 25, 2023.
He has since made two appearances for the Young Lions. Additionally, he has one cap for Canada’s under-20 team, making him eligible for their senior team as well.
The purpose of Goodman’s visit to the NFF president is unclear, but reports suggest he may be considering representing Nigeria.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Owen Goodman paid a courtesy visit to the NFF president in Abuja.
— Sports Radio Brila FM (@Brilafm889) May 31, 2024
Goodman has committed to play for Nigeria, despite also being eligible to play for England and Canada. pic.twitter.com/7AnVYwN8iy
Goodman is a product of the Crystal Palace Football Academy and signed his first professional contract with the club in July 2021. He spent last season on loan at Colchester United, making 40 appearances and achieving four clean sheets.
Goodman is set to return to Crystal Palace next season to compete for a place in the first team.
If Goodman decides to play for Nigeria, he will have to show his worth with the under-23 national team before taking the step up to the Super Eagles.
Presently, Chippa United goalie Stanley Nwabali is the Super Eagles’s number-one goalkeeper, after impressing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nwabali will be supported by Udinese shot-stopper Maduka Okoye during Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic next week.
