FIFA U20 World Cup : Italian-Born GK Dubbed The 'New Joe Hart' Hopeful Of Good Outing For Flying Eagles

Published: May 20, 2019

Italian-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