The search for more options in the area of goalkeepers is one of the major concerns of the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro ahead of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Peseiro hasn’t been entirely convinced by the three senior goalkeepers in the team at the moment, and even though he has publicly backed under fire first choice Francis Uzoho after two blunders leading to goal in consecutive games, he is keen on having more options.
He feels the duo of Maduka Okoye and Adebayo Adeleye haven’t convinced him enough to drop Uzoho, hence his decision to look for more options one of which is Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
He has also moved a step further by also making contact with on loan Arsenal shot stopper Arthur Okonkwo. A player he has been tracking for a while.
Now at English League two side Wrexham after a highly successful time on loan to Austrian side Sturm Graz for the second half of last season, the 22 year old has indicated his willingness to begin the switch of nationality process from England.
The hope is that he will be cleared to be a part of the set up for the Africa Cup of Nations and not the world cup qualifiers which begins in November. We also gathered that former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick put in a word for him.
Okonkwo who will be out of contract at Arsenal at the end of this season has made seven appearances in all competitions and has three clean sheets. So far he has conceded seven goals.
Osas Mahawi
