Adeleye downplays Super Eagles goalkeeping crisis claim

Super Eagles goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye has debunked claims of a goalkeeping crisis in the current Super Eagles team.

The Super Eagles goalkeeping department has been an area of concern for fans and coaches alike.

A goalkeeping error resulted in the Super Eagles crushing out in the early stages of the 2021 Nations Cup hosted by Cameroon earlier this year.

Another goalkeeping blunder caused Nigeria a ticket to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

In recent times, the goalkeeping noise has been fuelled by mistakes from the Super Eagles goalkeeping duo of Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye in the two friendlies against the Desert Foxes of Algeria.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Sports Extra, Adebayo Adeleye who made his first unofficial debut for Super Eagles in a test match against Algeria's B side during last month's international break believes the country is blessed with young goalkeepers who are capable of making Nigeria proud.

“No, I don’t I believe that. We have a crop of young goalkeepers who can make the country proud. That’s all I can say,” he told the PUNCH.

The 22-year-old added that getting a call-up to the Super Eagles was a dream come true.

“It was a dream come true for me because I was keen to show the coaches they were not wrong in inviting me. I’m happy with the minutes I had against Algeria because it made me realise my dreams. I’m also happy with the coaches, who believed in me, to see it happen.”

The former Golden Eaglets shot-stopper is yet to make his official debut in the colours of the Super Eagles.


WDN