Coach Rohr under pressure over Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper

Some football stakeholders in the country on Wednesday called on Coach Gernot Rohr to resolve the issue of first choice goalkeeper in the Super Eagles as soon as possible.

They made the call against the backdrop of the error prone performance of goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi in the Nov. 14 international friendly match against the Albiceleste of Argentina at Krasnodar, Russia.

Our correspondent reports that the Super Eagles had to battle from a 2-0 deficit to overcome the former two-time World Champions in the keenly contested match.

A sport analyst with TV Continental told our reporter that Nigeria had yet to have a permanent first choice goalkeeper, adding that the department needed to be sorted out before the World Cup in Russia.

“The position of the first choice goalkeeper is still open with the blunder committed by Akpeyi in both matches he starred for Nigeria.

“It was the same problem we have before Enyeama came to limelight, we did not prepare for a backup for our first choice goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme.

“As it stands now, there is nobody to fit into his shoes as number one goalkeeper. We have tried Ikechukwu Ezenwa and the new invitee, Francis Uzoho, but I think Uzoho stands a chance.

“Uzoho displayed some confidence yesterday as against Akpeyi who was shaky in goal, maybe between now and the World Cup the technical crew has a lot to do,’’ he said.

On Enyeama’s recall, Ajuziogu told our reporter that the technical crew of the Eagles needed to be cautious about recalling him to the Eagles fold.

“The decision to recall him should not only be for Rohr to decide, but all the stakeholder must be made to have input so as not to cause disaffection in the Eagles camp.

“What I know about Germans is that they like tall and huge goalkeepers and that is why Austin Ejide was ahead of Enyeama then, but we need to exercise restraint in recalling Enyeama.

“Some things must be sorted out which led to his exit in the first place; all these must be taken into consideration too,’’ he said.

Tomiwa Babalola, a sport blogger, urged Rohr to look inward to find another goalkeeper from the local league, adding that Enyeama started from the local league too.

“Enyeama made his debut at 2002 Korea/Japan after his exploit in the local league with Enyimba of Aba; I think we have good goalkeepers from the local league who can fit in too.

“We should allow Enyeama to enjoy his retirement and shop for a better replacement for him. It is true that we need a first choice goalkeeper which Akpeyi does not fit in.

“It may also be a chance for the young Uzoho to step in which I believe that with series of friendly matches he will get better and gain more confidence,’’ he said.

Francis Adelugba, sport journalist, said that Akpeyi’s error in the match against Argentina clearly knocked him off as the Eagles first choice, noting that it’s time to consider other options.

“Akpeyis error is unpardonable for a first choice goalkeeper for Eagles, its high time we look elsewhere for another goalkeeper either we trust Uzoho or we try others.

“World Cup is a big centre stage and we cannot afford to gamble over the first choice goalkeeper. Presently, there is no known foreign-based goalkeeper besides Dele Alampasu and Uzoho.

“Since we are not considering Alampasu for now, we have lot of work to do as far as getting a permanent replacement for Ikeme is concerned,’’ he said.