Nigeria’s provisional squad for the September World Cup qualifiers brought shock and excitement when Eric Chelle handed a spot to 15-year-old goalkeeper Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt, Footynaija.com reports.
The Sporting Lagos Academy talent, who caught attention at the CAF U-20 AFCON earlier this year, was one of 31 names announced for the double-header against Rwanda and South Africa.
The decision placed him in the same list as senior professionals Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie, suggesting Chelle saw him as more than a future prospect. It also came at a time when Nwabali, Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, was battling fitness concerns.
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Speaking on Brila FM’s Breakfast Show, No Holds Barred with Ifeanyi Udeze, Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen gave a blunt assessment of the development.
“I will say I am surprised because that goalkeeping area at this level is not a youth level or Flying Eagles. Anyone among the three can be called upon to be the 26th man, and I do not think this small boy has that experience,” he said.
“Hopefully, Nwabali’s injury is not that bad. If we go to play with all players fit and healthy, competing as a team will bring the best out of him,” Eguavoen added.
“But, honestly speaking, let him go and experience it, but return to the juniors. For instance, the way Iwobi strikes the ball with curve will help him improve in training.”
By the time Chelle released his trimmed 23-man squad on 29 August, Harcourt’s name was missing. The coach eventually settled on three goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United, Amas Obasogie of Singida Black Stars, and Adebayo Adeleye of Volos FC.
It confirmed Eguavoen’s warning that senior international football requires players who can be trusted immediately under pressure.
