Alampasu is Nigeria’s next safest hands – Joe Erico

By Ben Efe 
Former national team keeper and assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Joe Erico has tipped FIFA Under-17 World Cup star, Dele Alampasu to be the next Super Eagles keeper whenever high flying Vincent Enyeama made his exits.

Alampasu was voted best goalkeeper of the tournament in the United Arab Emirate and according to Erico noted for discovering youth talent, the young keeper is naturally gifted and will go far in the game.
“When I first saw him play in the Legacy youth league I told my associates that there is our next national hero.

“I did mention his name to coaches of the Eaglets, but they didn’t take him seriously. But I surprised when one of my fellow coaches told me that my prediction about Alampasu being the next national keeper has come true with him keeping the post for the Eaglets.



“That was when I started following their games in the UAE. He is an exceptional keeper and more than often he kept the Eaglets in the tournament even though the team have a character of their own. I see Alampasu becoming a great goalkeeper,” stated Erico.  Alampasu himself has tall dreams, he wants to follow in the footsteps of his goalkeeping idol, Petr Cech of the Czech Republic and famous Chelsea FC of England keeper.

The 16-year-old player who is of Togolese descent said he has learnt a lot from the FIFA Under-17 World Cup and that was why he upped his game after a poor showing in the Eaglets 3-3 draw with Sweden during a group game. In the final against Mexico, he pulled daring saves to keep the a clean slate, this include a header, which has goal written on it. Alampasu stretched backwards and plucked away the ball that was heading into the far corner, it was a save only a few goalkeepers in the world can pull off.

“This is my first international experience and I’ve drawn a lot of information, especially in terms of the level of concentration you need to have at this level,” the youngster stated.

Certainly Alampasu who sold pure water in the streets of Ogba, Lagos to help his parents is on his way to topflight football, but he must have to keep working as he is a miles away from football achievements. Perhaps the gold gloves he won at the tournament will be a constant reminder that there is more laurels to be won only he if puts his heart into it.
Vanguard