Arsenal's young goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is set for an international debut with Nigeria in the near future having been cleared to represent the Super Eagles according to media reports.
England-born Okonkwo, who qualifies for a nationality switch due to his Nigerian heritage, has expressed his eagerness to don the green and white of Super Eagles.
On loan at Wrexham, he is creating ripples in the English football circuit with eye-catching displays in England's third tier league.
The 22-year-old has previously showcased his mettle during loan spells with Crewe Alexandra and Sturm Graz, earning a reputation for his prowess on the field.
Having been snubbed by England despite representing the Three Lions at junior levels, this promising net minder now aims to move mountains with Nigeria.
Okonkwo's early career statistics speak volumes about his talent. With 61 appearances and 24 clean sheets in just over a season of professional football, it's clear why Nigeria are keen on securing his services.
But his first major hurdle will be to displace the incredibly popular national hero Stanley Nwabili as Nigeria's number one goalkeeper.
The Chippa United goalkeeper has been unanimously embraced by the Super Eagles Fanbase and administrative stakeholders as the ultimate solution to Nigeria's goalkeeping crisis due to his Afcon heroics.
Hence Nigerians are no longer in the mood to accommodate experimentations in the Super Eagles’ goalkeeping department.
But I think Peseiro should find a way to squeeze out game-time for Okonkwo if he is available for selection. He might yet prove to offer an alternative appreciable dimension to goalkeeping that will endear him to Nigerians.
I recommend affording Okonkwo healthy game time against Argentina in upcoming friendly to slowly bed him into the team and to gauge what he brings to Nigeria's goalkeeping table.