Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, suffered a fracture to his rib in his last game for Spanish Segunda division side, Elche, and was not in action when the Super Eagles took on South Africa in their 2019 African Cup of Nations Qualifier, on Saturday, November 17, 2018.
With Uzoho out, coach Gernot Rohr set his gaze on the Nigeria Professional Football League, where he found a befitting replacement for the goaltender in the person of Theophilus Afelokhai.
Afelokhai, born on April 7, 1990, is the first choice goalkeeper of Eyimba International FC, ahead of veteran goaltender Fatai Dauda and Super Eagles man, Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
He started his career as a lower level goalkeeper in the second division, however, he did not stop there. Afelokhai kept beating on his craft till he gained the eyes of Kano Pillars FC, where he established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the NPFL, before moving to Eyimba FC in 2015.
In his career, the 28-year-old never featured for the Flying Eagles or Golden Eaglets at any major tournament, but he was a key part of the national U-23 Dream Team squad to the 2011 CAF U-23 Championship.
Although Afelokhai lacks a few modern tools in his knapsack, he is still considered a brilliant goalie whose style of play is quite similar to former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama.
He was part of the home-based Super Eagles team who won Silver at the 2018 Africa Nation Championships.
Source: Pulse
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