Former Super Eagles goalkeeper’s trainer, Amusa Adisa, has expressed serious concern over the absence of a reliable number-one goalkeeper for the national team preparing to compete at the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire this month.
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after delivered a lecture at the annual get-together of Fabulous Sparkling Sparks FC held at the Henry George Motel, Ilorin, Kwara State, Adisa described a goalkeeper as the last line of defence, saying his agility between the goal post is critical to bolster the team to a scintillating performance.
According to him, priority should be given to the person that would mount the goal posts, in view of his indispensable status and unique role as the only person who can use both his hands, legs and other parts of his body during play.
Adisa Maintained that goalkeeping is Nigeria’s weakest point going into AFCON 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire and challenged the coaches to look at the home league and be impartial.
“When I got to the limelight in the early 1960s, Inuwa Lawal Rigogo was the best goalkeeper in the country. When Peter Fregene started to show high quality, he took over. Then I had my chance after I had shown my ability from 1964-1969, when we defeated Warri 5-1 in Challenge Cup final and also when I stopped Godwin Achebe’s penalty in 1971 for Ibadan Lions to win the cup. Cyril Okosieme, Joe Erico, Emmanuel Okala, Best Ogedengbe, Peter Rufai, Patrick Okala and the others too, in that succession came to give great attention to themselves later,” he stated.
He urged the handlers of the national teams to devote special attention to the number one spot. “When the goalkeeper is dependable, the outfield players will be confident to showcase what they have been taught by the coaches. In fact they will even take initiatives that will mark them out and make the difference against their opponents.”
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