2023 AFCONQ: Adebayo Adeleye has to prove himself in the absence of suspended Uzoho

Published: June 10, 2023

Hapoel Jerusalem goalkeeper, Adebayo Adeleye has been recalled to the Super Eagles team ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers game against Sierra Leone.

Adeleye got his first call-up to the national team in June last year when Nigeria faced Ecuador in a friendly game and has been named four more times in the Super Eagles' team since then.

However, despite being called up five times, he has yet to make is debut as Francis Uzoho has been preferred over him but he has the opportunity to change that against Sierra Leone as the latter is suspended for the encounter.

The 23-year-old was in good form for Hapoel Jerusalem in the Ligat ha'Al in the just-concluded season, keeping 8 clean sheets in 20 games.

He is a goalkeeper who is good with his reflexes, ball handling, claiming crosses and capable of playing the ball comfortably with his feet.

While there is no doubt that he has been good in the colours of Hapoel Jerusalem, he has to replicate the same with the Super Eagles.

The goalkeeping department has been one of the weaknesses of the Super Eagles in recent years and Adeleye has to show that he is capable of being the first-choice goalie.

A game will not be enough to convince that he is the solution to Nigeria's goalkeeping woes but a good outing against the Leone Stars will put him in a good place and convince Peseiro that he is good enough to rival Uzoho.

He will have to contend with Enyimba International goalie, Olorunleke Ojo and Rivers United Victor Sochima for the starting shirt for the game but being the most experienced, it is highly likely that he is given the nod.

Therefore, the Israeli-based goalie can't afford to let this big opportunity slip through his fingers.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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