Exclusive: Ex-Beşiktaş star sends clear message to NFF on Harcourt after Super Eagles debut

Ebenezer Harcourt, who dons the colour of Sporting Lagos Academy, made his Super Eagles debut against Congo at the CHAN 2024…

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to give special attention to fast-rising shot-stopper Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Sporting Lagos Academy player recently made history as the youngest player to feature for Nigeria’s senior side.

Harcourt, born in 2009, marked his senior debut with a clean sheet during the Super Eagles B team’s 2-0 victory over Congo in their final group game at the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament.

The 15-year-old’s performance has drawn widespread praise after his breakthrough earlier this year at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Nigeria clinch bronze and book a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Sporting Lagos' 15 year old GK, Ebenezer Harcourt joined the CHAN squad in Zanzibar yesterday & straight into the team.

TCC, Gothia, AFCON and now CHAN.

This boy will go places pic.twitter.com/O0QzF8XDIW

— POOJA!!! (@PoojaMedia) August 12, 2025

Ike Shorunmu: What Former Besiktas Goalie Said On Harcourt

Speaking exclusively to Soccernet.ng, Shorunmu urged the NFF to keep the youngster close to the national setup to aid his growth.

“I think they need to encourage him more by inviting him to the national team to learn from his senior colleagues,” Shorunmu told Soccernet.

When asked if Harcourt has what it takes to become a future Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper, the former Nigerian international struck a cautious note.

“There is still plenty of time,” he responded.

Harcourt Is A Star in the Making

Son of a former goalkeeper and current Enyimba goalkeeper trainer, Harcourt, has already shown remarkable maturity for his age.

He was Nigeria’s standout performer at the U-20 AFCON, where he made match-winning saves in penalty shootouts against Senegal and saves against Tunisia.

Harcourt kept three clean sheets and conceded just two goals in regulation time, which emerged as one of the best records in the tournament.