List Of Nigerian Goalkeepers – All Names From Inception Till Date

The question of who is the best goalkeeper does not arise in this article. I don’t want to get involved in that debate, I just want to focus on a list of Nigerian goalkeepers. as well as those from the past

There’s no doubt Nigeria has produced quite a handful of fantastic goalkeepers over the years, talk about the likes of Best Ogedengbe, Peter Rufai, Ike Shorunmu, and so forth.

But who are these ‘so forth’?

Don’t worry, my list of Nigerian goalkeepers will show you that.

Did you know that goalkeepers’ contributions in the game of soccer – in any country – are less appreciated?

Most people see the other guys on the field as playing more critical roles especially the strikers.

Yeah, because they score the goals.

But fans forget that as oppose to that, the goalkeepers keep the goals out!

Doesn’t that kind of make them important?

It’s only when it’s time for penalty shootout that you see the whole stadium depending on a goalkeeper’s save – ah, and so he becomes important! Go ask those who knew Rufai when he was at his peak – not when he played in the Super Eagles 1998 World Cup squad – I’m talking about his hay days in the ’80s. The dude saved more penalty kicks than any goalkeeper in the history of Nigerian football!

Till date, Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin remains the only keeper in history to have been awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1963.

Did I hear you say ‘what a shame’?

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I dare to say, a goalkeeper is as good as his/her other 10 teammates on the field.

Wait, I’m beginning to sound like I’m debating.

Scratch that.

When the defenders lining up in front of a goalkeeper are not up to scratch, and recklessly expose the goalkeeper, then even the most endowed goalie would become a mere rookie in front of the opposing striker.

But sometimes it takes a very good keeper to save a team from defeat just as sometimes it takes an exceptionally good striker to deliver victory to his team.

Let’s now see my list of Nigerian goalkeepers, whether in abroad, in Europe, in England and even foreign-born.

List Of Nigerian Goalkeepers

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Now your turn

So before anybody opens his/her mouth to shred me into pieces, please know that I did my best on this list of Nigerian goalkeepers and that I am open to suggestions on changes and possible additions.

LOL…

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Anyway, hope you enjoyed my list! I look forward to hearing feedback and opinions in the comment box.