Ex Super Eagles defender Ifeanyi Udeze has urged the current handlers of the team to pick experience and confidence over any other sentiment when they consider the choice of goalkeepers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
As the debate over who should be the Super Eagles first choice goalie at next summer’s tournament continues to divide opinions, Udeze insists only a goalie with confidence will do the team good in Russia.
Nigeria could very likely be without Carl Ikeme as he continues to receive treatment for leukaemia.
Also Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has failed; despite several attempts, to convince Vincent Enyeama to return from international retirement as he continues to tinker on a suitable first choice.
Discussing the Super Eagles goalkeeping situation on Brila FM’s, Big Sports Breakfast Show on Friday, Udeze recalled that in 2002 a young Vincent Enyeama packed a lot of confidence in goal and earned himself high praise.
Currently, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi, Francis Uzoho and Dele Alampasu are all in contention for places to the 2018 World Cup.
Udeze said, ” Whatever the coaches do, when it comes to picking and deciding who the first choice goalkeeper should be, the confidence of the candidate must be a major criteria.
“At big occasions like the World Cup you want want a goalkeeper who is not only experienced but, importantly he must have a lot confidence.”
“In 2002 when Enyeama got his break, he was young but his confidence was unusual even though he playing in his first major tournament,” Udeze concluded.
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