Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye has promised that Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai will get equal opportunities with other invitees to stake his claim for Nigeria’s number one shirt.
Although the former Kano Pillars shot-stopper is only a late call-up in place of injured Elche of Spain netminder, Francis Odinaka Uzoho, Ibitoye says Afelokhai will receive the same chances as all others.
Footballlive.ng report s that this comes after Uzoho was injured at the weekend in a Spanish second division game, thereby paving thew way for Afelokhai to finally get the nod for a chance in the Eagles’ camp ahead of next weekend’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to South Africa.
Ahead of the arrival of all players in camp starting on Sunday, Ibitoye said Eagles’ technical adviser, Gernot Rohr will treat Afelokhai on the same level with the other two keepers, Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, though they are both ahead of him in terms of invitations.
The Eagles’ spokesman said Rohr chose to invite Afelokhai due to the Enyimba goalkeeper’s recent brilliant form with his club in the CAF Confederation Cup, and the coach will now give them equal chances to grab the number position in Uzoho’s absence.
Ibitoye further stressed: “There is no automatic shirt for any of the goalkeepers invited for the game.
“They will all get equal opportunity to fight for the position ahead of the African Nations Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the international friendly with Uganda.
“The coach is not worried by Uzoho’s absence, because any of the keepers in camp is good enough to mount the sticks in Johannesburg.
“The three goalkeepers now have the opportunity to prove their worth in training to ascertain who gets the first team shirt.”
