Chippa United defender James Okwuosa is undoubtedly a phenomenon in the South African topflight division. But why is he not getting a look-in for the Super Eagles?

There has been a wide outcry for the injection of quality sweepers at the rearguard for the national team who would provide adequate competition for the established ones.

The 27-year old made his first international bow in a Nelson Mandela Cup challenge against South Africa back in 2013 under then manager, Stephen Keshi before earning further caps against Burkina Faso and competitively against Ethiopia in a World Cup qualifier.

His line of progression has been shockingly stunted as the player has long gone into obscurity on the international scene, though that has done little to stop him from starring consistently for The Chilli Boys in South Africa where he has made 13 consecutive appearances for his second-placed team this season, all impressively full shifts, forming part of a solid back line that has conceded just eight goals during that period.

What more? He is just one of the few players yet to pick up a single booking in the division this campaign; so much for been a defender. It is something of a mental quality (not just physical attribute) to manage that pleasing stat, in a time where rashness and brute decisions are regularly associated with defenders.

One may interpret these statistics either of two ways; going by the standing of the PSL, no doubt, most Nigerian fans remain in thrall of more illustrious leagues the likes of the EPL and the La Liga to be precise, Okwuosa might well be a top quality player in a not too glamorous league, a fact which might seem to explain why he has been out of the national team picture for so long.

But yet, he might just have the right attitude and sheer quality  to rival any of Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem and William Troost-Ekong for a place in the Super Eagles defensive setup.

There is a lot to admire about him that makes him a plausible shoo-in in the team,he is less prone to snap into challenges and accurate decision making are more you get from him while he combines those features with dogged defending and sound reading of the game.

So from now till the end of till the end of next year, all and sundry will keep watching and accessing his contributions and if he continues to prove himself worthy, then he might be granted his swansong.

Emmanuel Chinaza

Photo Credit : Private