Babayaro: There shouldn’t be a debate about Super Eagles’ No. 1 goalkeeper

Former Nigerian international defender Celestine Babayaro says there should not be a debate over who should be the starting goalkeeper for the Nigerian senior team in the absence of Stanley Nwabali.

Nwabali has been inactive since they mutually terminated his contract with South Africa’s Chippa United after the AFCON in January.

Coach Eric Chelle called up Maduka Okoye along with the duo of Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye for the recently concluded four-team tournament in Türkiye.

All three goalkeepers played in the tournament, with Okoye in goal in the 2-1 win over Iran, while Uzoho was replaced by Adeleye after taking a knock in the 2-2 draw against Jordan.

Chelle’s decision kept the debate going over who should be first choice, but Babayaro says that should not be the case with Okoye, who has kept three consecutive clean sheets available in Serie A.

“This should not be a debate if you ask me because you have a goalkeeper in one of the top European leagues who is available. He was not around due to previous problems but now that he is back, give him his due. It is very simple,” he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.