Former Nigerian goalkeeper Bassey Akpan has known as on the Tremendous Eagles’ teaching crew to be thorough and goal of their evaluation of goalkeepers forward of subsequent month’s essential CAF World Cup playoffs.
Akpan, who represented Nigeria at youth stage and later within the senior workforce, confused that the stakes are too excessive to depend on popularity or previous performances when deciding who guards the posts within the decisive video games.
He mentioned Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, and Amas Obasogie have all proven good kind for his or her golf equipment in latest months — however insisted that “consistency and match sharpness” ought to be the final word standards.
“The World Cup playoffs are usually not the time for experiments,” Akpan mentioned. “The coaches should assess who’s in the perfect psychological and bodily state. It’s not nearly expertise — it’s about readiness, composure, and the power to deal with stress in a impartial venue.”
Nigeria will face Gabon of their first mini-tournament fixture in Rabat, Morocco, earlier than probably assembly both Cameroon or DR Congo for a spot within the intercontinental playoffs.
Akpan famous that with the fixtures being performed away from house, focus and communication will probably be key for whoever will get the nod in aim.
He additionally praised the latest enhancements seen in Nwabali’s command of his space and distribution at Chippa United, whereas commending Okoye’s resurgence in Serie A. Nonetheless, he warned that the teaching workers should look past membership performances and decide who can deal with the magnitude of the second.
“The goalkeeper’s position is essential — one save or mistake can resolve every part,” he mentioned. “All 4 goalkeepers are succesful, however that is about who steps up when it issues most. Nigeria should go for the most secure arms, not essentially the most in style title.”
