Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has stated that the country’s goalkeeping challenge isn’t a lack of quality, but rather deeper structural problems within the team’s defensive setup.
Oliseh emphasized that even top-level goalkeepers cannot perform optimally without a solid backline.
“A goalkeeper is as good as the defense,” Oliseh stated. “If you have a very poor defense be you Van Der Sar, Dosu Joseph or Thibaut Courtois you will concede goals and possibly lose games.
“In that case, it’s not just a goalkeeping issue but a systemic problem, and that’s why I am worried.”
The former Super Eagles boss also reaffirmed his strong support for the Nigeria Professional Football League.
Oliseh stressed that sustainable success at international level depends heavily on a thriving local football structure.
“I have nothing against the diaspora in spite of what some think, but, the reality is that I am a product of the NPFL and for that reason it’s something that I will always advocate for.
“And if you look at every team in the world none does well when the local league isn’t doing well; just like no foreign coach has ever won the World Cup for any country.
“It will always be like that, the World Cup has always been won by coaches that take their country there, there is a reason for that.”
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In recent weeks, there have been increasing calls for current Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to integrate more home-based players into the national team.
With the upcoming Unity Cup on the horizon, Chelle has been actively monitoring domestic talent, attending NPFL matches across the country as he evaluates potential additions to his squad.
