Former Nigeria GK Explains Why Ezenwa, Afelokhai May Not Get Eagles Chances; Backs Man Utd's De Gea

Published: September 28, 2018

Former Nigeria international Idah Peterside has explained to fans of the Nigeria national team that inability to secure foreign deals is main reason why goalkeepers in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) cannot be considered number one choices for the national team's gloves.

Speaking on SuperSport, the one-time Enyimba and BCC Lions keeper said: "I played for top, top teams in Nigeria. Those days the biggest clubs were the likes of Rangers, Bendel Insurance and so on.

"I played for teams like Enyimba which was my last club before I left Nigeria. I also played for top, top clubs like BCC Lions, Rangers.

"The unfortunate thing for me was that I had foreign based players who were ahead of me in the pecking order, and if you play in the Nigeria league, you will not play in the national team.''

Peterside' s revelation may then mean that the likes of Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Theophilus Afelokhai and Dele Ajiboye have a big task of dislodging Elche's Francis Uzoho who has established himself as Nigeria's first choice goalkeeper above Ezenwa and Chippa United of South Africa's Daniel Akpeyi.

Meanwhile Peterside backed FIFPro for choosing Manchester United's David Gea in the World XI ahead of Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois at a glittering event on Monday evening.

Many observers had wildly tipped the Belgium World Cup star to be picked ahead of the Spain international simply because he won The Best goalkeeper of 2018 award

"The award was given based on performances for the year 2018 not just the World Cup. You guys (fellow guests and analysts) are focusing only on the World Cup. De Gea deserves it," Peterside stressed.

Izuchukwu Okosi