The first choice goalkeeper of Enyimba John Noble was a shock inclusion in the Super Eagles squad for AFCON 2022 qualifiers coming in as one of the three goalkeepers.
Noble was largely unknown in Nigeria before his remarkable rise from third choice at Enyimba to first choice the last one month. He started the season behind the duo of Olufemi Kayode and Sabirou Bassa Djeri.
Prior to his move to Enyimba, Noble hasn’t played for any top division team in Nigeria and he was slowly becoming a journey man with spells in around six teams but none can be said to be at the level of Enyimba.
The Rivers born goalkeeper had stints at Toro Sports Academy, Kilsi United FC, Garden City Panthers, Gokana United, Cynosure FC and Togolese side Kotoko FC. However it was at fellow Togolese side ASCK de Kara that he finally hit the limelight.
He was first choice goalkeeper when they won the league and cup in 2018. Same year he was in goal for them against Nigerian side Enugu Rangers. That was how Enyimba spotted and signed him in 2020.
The move to Enyimba didn’t come directly though as he had a short stint in Cameroon with top division side Panthere Nde from 2018 to 2019 before returning home to join Cynosure FC. One of the numerous youth teams he played for in Nigeria before his sojourn abroad.
His transfer from Enyimba was from the Abakaliki non league side and upon his signing many talked about his abilities to stop spot kicks and that was part of how he got his first call up.
Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr was among the spectators when Noble denied his home team Rivers United a spot in the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup.
He stopped two of Rivers United spot kick during the shot out and went ahead to crown his heroics effort by scoring the vital kick that sealed his side passage on a 5-4 win.
