2023 AFCON: It's Too Late For An Home-Based Goalkeeper To Be Super Eagles First Choice-Aiyenugba

2023 AFCON: It's Too Late For An Home-Based Goalkeeper To Be Super Eagles First Choice-Aiyenugba

Sampson Adedeji

Former Nigeria's Super Eagles Dele Aiyenugba has made it clear that it is too late to have a home-based goalkeeper as Nigeria's first goalkeeper at the upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Due to the inconsistent performance of Francis Uzoho and Maduka Okoye, there has been calls from various quarters to have a home-based goalkeeper between the sticks in Ivory Coast.

Aiyenugba who is now with the Nigeria Premier Football League side Kwara United explained to Punch correspondent that the time is too short to experiment with that.

“The thing is that during our time, we were given the chance early to build our confidence.

"We had the home-based national team side then and we played several friendly matches.

"So, you start to gain confidence from there and you start to understand that it is different from the club side.

"For me, it’s kind of late to do that. The Nations Cup is barely a month and half away. 

"So, how do you groom a goalkeeper for that kind of assignment within that time? 

"You keep inviting them (home-based keepers) and not trying them and you need a new goalkeeper. 

"How many friendlies can they play now? So, I don’t know how they will do that", he explained.