Super Eagles goalkeepers’ trainer, Alloy Agu has stressed that there will be no preferential treatment in the choice of Nigeria’s first choice shot-stopper for this year’s World Cup, but says the technical crew will accord Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Odinaka Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi and Dele Ajiboye equal opportunities to claim the shirt.
Many observers are already unanimous in their verdicts that Uzoho is Eagles’ boss, Gernot Rohr’s anointed choice for Nigeria’s number one jersey to Russia 2018, but Agu, who is an ex-international keeper turned pastor, insists it would be a level ground for all four.
Ezenwa, Uzoho and Akpeyi were called up for the team’s last four games against Algeria, Argentina, Poland and Serbia.
On the other hand, Ajiboye is seen by many as having little chance of making the final squad to Russia having been overlooked by handler of the side, Gernot Rohr in recent times.
Ajiboye, who was outstanding for Plateau United of Jos in their title success in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) last season, was also part of the team in some of the qualifying games.
However, Agu, who was part of the Eagles in Nigeria’s debut in the FIFA World Cup at USA ’94, said the selection of first choice and final three will be done in a very fair manner.
Agu promised at lenght: “Everything will be done on merit. We are lucky to have these quality goalkeepers in the team at the moment and we will give them equal chance to show what they can do.
“I don’t support the view that there is a favourite among the four or that we already know the three that will go with the team to Russia.
“I know they all want to be in Russia which will make them give their all in training. That itself is good for the team as it will give us the opportunity to pick the best for the team.”
