In an interview on Brila FM’s Breakfast show, ‘No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze, Nigerian football legends Augustine Eguavoen and Victor Ikpeba shared their thoughts on the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping crisis following Stanley Nwabali’s injury.
The pair commended the inclusion of Ebenezer Harcourt in the squad but stressed that the youngster is not yet ready for the responsibility.
Both Eguavoen and Ikpeba expressed hope that Nwabali would recover in time for the World Cup qualifiers in September.
Nwabali was stretchered off during Chippa United’s PSL clash against Richards Bay, but there’s been no official update from the club on the severity of the injury.
With only few days the crucial world cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa, pressure is starting to mount on Eric Chelle.
Eguavoen expressed surprise at Harcourt’s call up and frustration about Nwabali’s injury.
The NFF Technical Director believes that the youngster must be giving time to develop:
“I will say I am surprised because that goalkeeping area at this level is not a youth level or Flying Eagles.
“Anyone among the three can be called upon to be the 26th man, and I don’t think this small boy has that experience.
“Hopefully, Nwabali’s injury isn’t that bad. If we go to play with all players fit and healthy, competing as a team will bring the best out of him.
“But, honestly speaking, let him (Harcourt) go and experience it, but return to the juniors. For instance, the way Iwobi strikes the ball with curve will help him improve in training.”
1997 African best player of the year, Ikpeba and current member of the NFF Committee commended Harcourt’s inclusion in the squad, he argued that it will serve as a wake up call for other Nigerian goalkeepers:
“I hope Nwabali will be fit before then; we still have about 10–14 days before the games against Rwanda and South Africa.
“It is good for Harcourt to make the squad, and this serves as a wake-up call for all goalkeepers in Nigeria. If a 15-year-old boy is being given this opportunity, it shows they all need to step up.”
“He will learn from this and relate with the big boys. It’s good for him to feature for the U-17s and U-20s since he is still within that age, but I just hope Nwabali will be fit.
“The other goalkeeper in Italy, Maduka Okoye, has had issues. I hope all our players will be fit.”
Nigeria are in a very worrying spot in Group C, the three time AFCON winners are currently fourth in Group C with seven points – six points behind South Africa.
