Afelokhai may get a look in as Eagles open camp in Asaba November 12

Theophilus Afelokhai (left) will soon join his Enyimba teammate, Ikechukwu Ezenwa in the Super Eagles.

Enyimba of Aba Goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai is on Super Eagles coaches’ radar and would be given a chance in the team after Nigeria’s African Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa later this month. An official of the team, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian at the weekend that the coaches have noticed Afelokhai’s exploits with Enyimba, especially during the club’s campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup and would give the former Kano Pillars’ man an opportunity to contest for the number one position soon.

He said, “Some members of the technical committee recently drew the coaches’ attention to Afelokhai and I am sure the boy will get his chance in the Eagles soon.

“The argument is that if he is good enough to displace Ikechukwu Ezenwa as Enyimba’s number one goalkeeper, there is no reason why he should not be in the national team when Ezenwa is there.

“However, the time is too short to include him in the team now, but the coaches have said they would give him a chance after our friendly against Uganda,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles will move their camp to Asaba in preparation for their African Nations Cup qualifier against South African scheduled for November 17 at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The team will depart for South Africa on November 16 aboard a chartered aircraft and then return to prepare for the friendly against Uganda, which will hold in Asaba three days later.

The Eagles normally camped at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decided to use the Stephen Keshi Stadium for the friendly against the Ugandans.

The Asaba stadium recently hosted the Aiteo Cup final between eventual champions, Enugu Rangers and Kano Pillars and the NFF believe that with minor adjustments the venue would be ready for international matches.

Nigeria, who currently lead Group E of the African Nations Cup qualifying series, will qualify for the competition is they avoid defeat in South Africa.

South Africa beat Nigeria 2-0 in the first leg of the tie in Uyo and need another win to resuscitate their campaign for a slot in the 2019 AFCON after their shock draw with Seychelles last month.