FIFA U20 World Cup : Italian-Born GK Dubbed The 'New Joe Hart' Hopeful Of Good Outing For Flying Eagles
Published: May 20, 2019Italian-born goalkeeper Jonathan Zacalla is confident that the Flying Eagles will do well at the forthcoming FIFA U20 World Cup in Poland.
The Triestina glovesman has been selected in Nigeria's 21-man squad ahead of Clique Sports Academy's Matthew Yakubu, who was not pleased that he was dropped by Paul Aigbogun and pointed out that Zacalla is on the books of an amateur club in Italy and did not feature in test games.
Zacalla was closely monitored by allnigeriasoccer.com's undercover reporter during the training camp in Germany, and technically speaking, he's the best goalkeeper named in the squad list and has drawn comparisons to former Manchester City star Joe Hart.
Physically, he is still growing and may not be the first choice goalkeeper in Poland but has been tipped to be a key member of the Nigeria U20s in two years' time.
''The camping exercise was tough but I enjoyed every bit of it. It was a good experience for me and the other players," Zacalla told thenff.com.
"I'm hopeful of a good outing in Poland and will continue to work hard to make it happen. Our coaches have done a lot in training and I hope we can use that to good effect when the U20 competition starts."
The Flying Eagles players and officials landed in Katowise, Poland on Sunday afternoon after a three-week training camp in Bad Gögging.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : thenff.com
Latest News
- 'That's why we had to take him off' - Rangers boss confirms Leon Balogun has suffered an injury
- Chuba Akpom comments on his future with Ajax amid Nottingham Forest and Fulham interest
- Nigerian exports: Akpom, Boniface, Madueke strike; Adewoye, Oluwaseyi goals help RKC, MNUFC set club records
- Akor Adams: Turkish giants Besiktas have zero chance of signing Montpellier striker this summer
- U17 EURO: Arsenal midfielder Junaid emulates former Young Lionesses forward Ashleigh Plumptre
- Manchester Unted's Nigerian striker agrees move to West Ham on scholarship deal
- Transfer guru confirms Man Utd interest in ex-Super Eagles invitee with release clause of N104b
- 'Felt this could have been my season' - Chelsea midfielder Chukwuemeka reflects on injury woes
- Super Eagles winger Chukwueze gets vote of confidence from former AC Milan goalkeeper
- Morak FC chief backs Golden Eaglets to qualify for World Cup despite 2-0 loss to his team
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football