Nigeria U20 goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso recorded a serious profession milestone on Saturday, preserving his first clear sheet as knowledgeable in Chornomorets Odesa’s hard-fought 1-0 residence victory over LNZ Cherkasy within the Ukrainian Premier League, Soccernet.ng stories.
The match, performed on the Stadion Chornomorets in Odesa, marked a private breakthrough for Aniagboso, who had been ready patiently for a correct first-team alternative since becoming a member of the membership final 12 months.
Trusted with a beginning position in a struggling Chornomorets facet rooted to the foot of the desk, the 20-year-old delivered a composed and commanding efficiency between the sticks.
It was Aniagboso’s first begin since debuting final September in a 1-1 draw — paradoxically additionally towards Cherkasy.
The Nigerian shot-stopper had since been sidelined in favour of 32-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper Artur Rudko, however a string of poor outcomes and a defensive disaster opened the door for Aniagboso’s return to the beginning XI.
The victory was simply Chornomorets’ fifth of the season and ended a dismal 13-match run with just one win and no clear sheets. With Aniagboso in aim, the defence seemed way more assured, serving to the staff to a significant three factors that lifted them off the underside of the desk and as much as 18 factors—three away from security.
This landmark second is the newest in Aniagboso’s rising profession.
— Africa Soccer Zone (@AfricaSoccer_zn) March 17, 2023
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He was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper on the 2023 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, the place he saved 4 clear sheets in 5 matches — together with the 4-0 bronze medal win over Tunisia — serving to the Flying Eagles to a third-place end and qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
On the match in Argentina, Aniagboso once more proved reliable, starring in Nigeria’s wins over Italy and host nation Argentina, preserving clear sheets in each encounters because the staff progressed to the quarter-finals earlier than dropping narrowly to South Korea after further time.
— David CL Mikel Okoye (@007Supernerd) Might 24, 2023
His performances earned him a transfer to Europe later in 2023, initially becoming a member of Ukrainian facet Polissya, earlier than a mortgage spell at PFC Zvyagel, and at last sealing a everlasting switch to Chornomorets in September.
With the Tremendous Eagles’ No.1 shirt nonetheless up for grabs, Aniagboso’s progress shall be intently monitored.
Nigeria’s present first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali got here beneath scrutiny following the staff’s underwhelming 1-1 draw towards Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier final month, whereas the options — Kayode Bankole and Amas Obasogie — stay largely untested at worldwide stage.
If Aniagboso continues his upward trajectory, he might emerge as a powerful contender to guide the road for Nigeria at main tournaments within the close to future. His subsequent alternative comes when Chornomorets journey to Obolon Kyiv, who sit thirteenth, subsequent weekend.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns right into a ball of ardour when writing about Nigerian soccer and its skills, whether or not rising stars or established legends, domestically and overseas.
From the deepest corners of the Center East, to the inexperienced fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the wealthy soils of Africa, Imhons is greater than glad, often with a glass of a tasty drink close by, to seize the essence of the sport, by connecting the dots between tradition, identification, and soccer.
