Former Nigeria International defender, Ifeanyi Udeze, believes that the Super Eagles of Nigeria needs to solve their goalkeeping problems as soon as possible.
Nigeria lost to 2019 AFCON winners Algeria for the fourth consecutive time on Tuesday, 27 September, in Oran.
The Super Eagles prior to the Desert Foxes clash locked horns with the local based Algeria team and drew 2-2 with goals from Alex Iwobi and Cyriel Dessers earning the Super Eagles a draw.
One of the highlight of the first match against the CHAN Desert Foxes was when Nigeria goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye made a huge error that allowed the local based Algeria side to take the lead as he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet.
In the battle with the senior Algeria national team, FC Lorient striker Terem Moffi opened the scoring for the Super Eagles after reacting quickest to a rebound but Manchester City winger, Riyad Mahrez, drew Algeria level from the penalty spot few minutes before halftime.
A superb strike from Youcef Atal sealed the comeback win for Algeria but eye brows were also raised concerning the goalkeeping of Francis Uzoho as the goalie was beaten from 25 yards out by Atal and many of the Nigerian fanbase feel he should have done better.
Ifeanyi Udeze believes the goalkeeping department should be sorted out immediately.
“We need to solve the issue in the goalkeeping department because this is the national team,” Udeze said on Brila FM.
“And whether we like it or not there’s no patience to give a player of goalkeeper one or two years to improve. Such patience is for club sides not national team.”
“At the national team if you’re not good enough you have to give others the chance to try and if that person is good enough he should man the post, that’s why it’s the national team.”
Hopefully the Super Eagles get their goalkeeping act together before they face their next opponents as Cristaino Ronaldo and Seleção das Quinas of Portugal wait in line as the next opponent for the Super Eagles of Nigeria as both teams will meet during an International friendly in November.
ABIAZIEM OLISA