The Super Eagles goalkeeping department in recent time has proven to be the weakest link of the team with first choice Sparta Rotherdam goalkeeper Maduka Okoye not earning the confidence of many Nigerians following his Nations cup error against Tunisia which led to our shocking exit at African cup of Nations in Cameroon and Francis Uzoho’s error against Ghana which proved pivotal to Nigeria not qualifying for the FIFA Worldcup in Qatar.
Nigerians have hence called on the NFF and the technical crew to go in search of a decent goalkeeper in the mode of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.
In this article I would be taking you through the qualities of a goalkeeper and why i think Abia Warriors Vincent Edafe is the solution to the recent Super Eagles goalkeeping crisis.
The Role Of A Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper’s primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring moving the ball over the defended goal-line within the frame of the goal. This is accomplished by the goalkeeper moving into the path of the ball and either catching it or directing it away from the vicinity of the goal line. Within the penalty area goalkeepers are able to use their hands, making them (outside throw-ins) the only players on the field permitted to handle the ball with his hands. The special status of goalkeepers is indicated by them wearing different coloured kits from their teammates and the opposition
A certain skillsets is needed from a goalkeeper to fit in a certain pattern or style of play. For example, if a team wants to be a dominant team with a lot of possession and ball circulation, they will look for a goalkeeper who is very good at playing with his feet, communicating with the defensive line, controlling spaces and free players offensively, etc.
On the other hand, if a team is going to play a game where the team is going to defend in a low block with the lines very close together to come out in counter-attacking transitions, a goalkeeper must dominate the aerial game, both in front and lateral balls, control of the back of the defensive line, as well as a good long movement to initiate those counter-attacking actions that the team is going to look for.
The Technical And Tactical Attributes Of A Good Goalkeeper Are …..
- Good blocking and deflecting technique.
- Ability to play with his feet.
Good movement and positioning in front of goal.
Ability to anticipate any type of play. - Lower body power for short, intense and fast jumps and movements.
- Speed (quickness) and braking in movements.
- Strength level for the different impulses prior to technical gestures (hardness).
- Strength evaluation in offensive actions such as serves with hand and foot as well as in defensive actions such as blocks and deflections.
Communication with the team.(Leadership)
Messages and ability to synthesise the information transmitted.
- Ability to visualise, anticipate and communicate possible situations (decision making).
- Defensive line control.
Mental strength in adverse or stressful situations.
How Vicente Edafe Can Fit In The Super Eagles
Bringing Abia Warriors goalkeeper Vincent Edafe into this context i must say that he Edafe possesses if not all, at least 80 percent of this qualities needed from a goalkeeper.
Vincent Edafe is fantastic young goalkeeper with the ability to play with his feet. Good movement and positioning in front of goal.
ability to anticipate any type of dangerous play, coordinate his defense line and keeps them focus.
The former Dakkada International goalkeeper is one of many good goalkeeper in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) that has continuously being overlooked by the National team coaches, and this writer feels he would be a good addition to the National team and perhaps the solution to the goalkeeping crisis in the Super Eagles if handed a call-up.
