Barring a last minute change of mind Daniel Akpeyi will be the first choice goalkeeper for Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations as exclusively reported by Owngoalnigeria.com last week.
Akpeyi has kept goal in the Super Eagles last two games with Ikechukwu Ezenwa just returning from injury while Francis Uzoho didn’t get enough games last season to retain his spot as first choice.
In training Akpeyi has also been very impressive but among the technical crew doubts still persist over his confidence particularly when the team is under pressure during competitive games, although he didn’t show any nerves in the 0-1 friendly loss to Senegal on Saturday.
Uzoho has looked everything but brilliant in training. His lack of confidence is very glaring probably due to lack of game time at the two clubs he played on loan last season in Elche and Anorthosis Famagusta respectively.
The bold decision to drop him as first choice is commendable as he has conceded the most goals in training although he has played against the first choice strikers more than the other goalkeepers in the team.
Ezenwa is only returning from injury and has only trained for four days. He didn’t do badly in the drills and shooting practices but his lack of match fitness few days to Nigeria’s first game might cost him his spot as first choice.
