Road to 2014 World Cup: Behold Super Eagles safest hands The Super Eagles have not really had any problem when it comes to goalkeeping at major competitions. Unlike in the other departments of the team where players can easily convert roles, thus creating stiffer competitions, Nigeria’s goalkeeping role has most often taken up by the best man around. For a long time, Vincent Enyeama has been Nigeria’s top choice at major competitions. The former Enyimba keeper, who won two CAF Champions League titles with the Aba club, made his debut for the national team at the 2002 World Cup. Since then, Enyeama has been a regular in the team. But as the 2014 World Cup gets closer, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi seems to face a selection dilemma in the department. Prior to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Keshi had preferred Austin Ejide in goal during a few friendly games, even giving him the captain’s armband, and making many observers believe it was time for him to break out of Enyeama’s shadow. Ejide was in goal in the friendly against Venezuela in the US in November 2012 and against Cape Verde in January 2013. But was unable to play during the Africa Cup of Nations due to injuries, leaving the post to Enyeama who put up a spectacular display leading to Nigeria’s victory. If Ejide had been the first choice at the 2013 AFCON, it would have been the second time Enyeama would lose the position to him at the continental level. At Ghana 2008, German coach Berti Vogts preferred Ejide to Enyeama, despite the latter’s consistence at goal during the qualifiers for the tournament. At the end of the day, Nigeria crashed out against Ghana in the quarterfinals. While Enyeama has conceded just 14 goals in 24 Lille matches in Ligue 1 this season, Ejide has lifted his club, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, to second in the Israeli league, Ligat Ha’al, conceding 16 goals in 21 appearances with the club this season. No doubt, Enyeama and Ejide are two top keepers Keshi has at his disposal as the Super Eagles prepare for the World Cup. Chigozie Agbim Since Keshi took over the team in 2012, he has given more opportunities to players in the domestic league than any other coach from the time Nigeria made their debut at the World Cup in 1994. One of the beneficiaries of such opportunities is Chigozie Agbim, who led the home-based arm of the team to a third-place finish at the African Nations Championship, which ended in South Africa on February 1. Despite Agbim’s relatively little experience on the international scene, Keshi had reasons to name him as the third-choice goalkeeper in the Super Eagles, featuring him against a top Catalonia side, which paraded the likes of Iker Casillas, Gerard Piqué, Jodi Alba, Carles Puyol, Xavi and Sergio González. Not only did that the game ended 1-1 in Barcelona, the Catalan goal was via a penalty by González. Agbim had another chance to prove himself when Nigeria visited Jordan in October last year, preparatory to the CHAN tournament. The hosts won the game 1-0 via a penalty but Agbim showed why he should be counted among the best, despite not having enough game time with his club Enugu Rangers in the domestic league. Unfortunately for Agbim, he did not have a particularly impressive outing at the CHAN, conceding 12 goals as he made some expensive blunders. Pundits have argued that Agbim’s predicament at the tournament was caused by his lack of playing time at his club. The transfer problem between his parent club Warri Wolves and Rangers resulted in his limited playing time at the Enugu club. In fact, he played just two games — against Kano Pillars and Enyimba — last season. It is not clear if Keshi will still stick to Agbim, after the Super Eagles performance at the CHAN. The goalkeeper’s condition is even made more critical following Rangers’ decision not to renew his contract after returning from the CHAN tournament in South Africa. It is not likely, however, that Agbim will displace Ambrose Vanzekin, who has established himself in the squad. Greg Etafia The alternatives left for Keshi to select an active goalkeeper as the Super Eagles’ third choice lie in Greg Etafia, who plays for Moroka Swallows in South Africa topflight, Femi Thomas of Enyimba and Daniel Akpeyi of Heartland. These goalkeepers have been consistent for their respective teams in the past two seasons. Etafia has been very unfortunate with regard to his invitation to the national team. With just four caps since his debut with the Super Eagles in 2003, his role until 2009, when he was last invited for national assignments against Tunisia and Mozambique, was limited to the bench. The former Plateau United shot-stopper is, however, the number one choice at his Premier Soccer League club where he faces regular challenges from top clubs like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Femi Thomas Thomas has been in superb form since joining Enyimba from Akwa United in 2012. Last season, he conceded 19 goals in the entire league season, helping the Aba club to a second place finish behind Kano Pillars. He was also instrumental in Enyimba’s success in the 2013 Federation Cup as he denied Warri Wolves in the penalty shootout which ended 5-4. Thomas started his professional career with Zamfara United before moving to Nasarawa United and later Ocean Boys. He was the first choice goalkeeper at Akwa United before title ambition led him to Aba. He never really had a chance to help the national U-23 team during the qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympics, as he was kept on the bench by coach Austin Eguavoen, who preferred Dele Ajiboye. Despite being a victim of inaction, like every other player in the Nigerian league, Thomas did not exhibit any form of rustiness when Enyimba hosted and defeated Anges de Notse of Togo in their CAF Champions League encounter on Sunday. Daniel Akpeyi Akpeyi has been tipped several times to fill the shoes of the likes of Ike Shorunmu and Peter Rufai. His tall frame and agility at the goalposts are likened to those of the iconic figures. The former Nasarawa United goalkeeper, who started out as a striker before becoming a shot-stopper, has helped Heartland to two Federation Cup titles since replacing Austin Brown at the Owerri club. The 27-year-old was a member of the Flying Eagles to the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup but since then he has not been fortunate to have a shot at a role in the national team. He has been a cover for Agbim in the national home-based team, but a first team role has yet to be given to him. Copyright PUNCH.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: editor@punchng February 13, 2014 at 12:00AM
Posted on: Wed, 12 Feb 2014 23:10:20 +0000
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