Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle says Arthur Okonkwo is his kind of goalkeeper after the Wrexham man kept a clean sheet in his first game for Nigeria yesterday at the Unity Cup in London, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Okonkwo had an uneventful first half, having almost nothing to do but in the second half when Zimbabwe threatened to find a way back into the game, which Nigeria won 2-0 to book a spot in the final.
The 24 year old only recently got approval from FIFA to play for Nigeria last month, and Chelle who was key in his decision to switch from England to Nigeria was proud of his performance in his debut game.
” He has what I like to have in my goalkeepers. Can play a pass under pressure and commands his area. This is just his first game and we have to hope that he continue to play this good for us”, Chelle said.
Speaking on why he approached the goalkeeper, Chelle said he has had his sights on him for a while, and felt the time to bring him in is now ahead of their challenge later in the year.
” Arthur have been scouted for a while, and we felt this is the right time to have him with us. He is 24 and for a goalkeeper that is a very young age. We hope he continue to grow at his club and excel with us when needed”, he concluded.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
