Kwara United and former Super Eagles goalkeeper Bamidele Aiyenugba has expressed optimism that the goalkeepers selected for the 34th TotalEnergies Africa cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire will deliver.
Super Eagles gaffer Jose Peseiro on Wednesday named his final 25 man squad ahead the biggest Africa football showpiece which begins on January 13th 2024.
AC Omonia of Cyprus goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, Enyimba’s captain Olorunleke Ojo and Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabili were the three goalkeepers selected for the mundia.
Bamidele Ayienugba who was part of the Super Eagles squad to Egypt 2006 and Ghana 2008 Africa cup of Nations believed the trio has what it takes to represent Nigeria in Cote d’Ivoire but expressed disappointment with the omission of Israeli based goalkeeper, Adebayo Adeleye.
“Before Nwabili went to South Africa, when I arrived in the Nigeria league and saw him he was my number one pick and now that he was included in the squad I think it is a good one, good to have competition in the squad. It will provide us competition and options, looking at what they achieve individually I believe they will deliver in Cote d’Ivoire”. He said in a chat with journalists in Ilorin.
On the exclusion Adeleye Adebayo he expressed his disappointment not to have the Israeli based goalkeeper in the squad but believed those invited are up to the task.
“It’s 50/50 but I am not satisfied with the coach dropping Adeleye, I feel the coach likes goalkeepers with height. But I don’t think goalkeeping should be about your height but your confidence and your exposure and how well you are good with your foot to me dropping Adeleye is a no for me, but I want to wish those selected the best of luck.
He however urged the Super Eagles to take every game as it comes stating that every team are always extra motivated playing the Super Eagles.
The three times Africa champions will play, Guinea- Bissau , host Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea in Group A.
