There’s a star in the making and his name Ebenezer Ifeanyi Harcourt.
Nigerian football has seen a glittering past of sensational goalkeepers, from Best Ogedegbe to Emmanuel Okala, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Peter Rufai and Vincent Enyeama.
The craft itself is not quite as fancied as the role of a number 10 or the top striker, after all, out-scoring your opponent is how you win games – and Nigerians are obsessed with winning.
However, the recently concluded U20 AFCON, where Nigeria finished in third place and punched a World Cup ticket, offered up the chance to catch a glimpse of a generational talent in Harcourt.
The 15 year-old cut his teeth early, and honed his skills under the tutelage of his father, who himself was a professional shot stopper.
Harcourt exudes such confidence that exceeds his young experience at club or national team levels.
With stealth focus, poignant alertness and a sharp reaction, it appears as though the kid was born that way rather than taught.
During the Flying Eagles’ campaign in Egypt, Harcourt served as first choice for Aliyu Zubairu and was a safe and reliable pair of hands.
While there are aspects of his game that still seem raw, and expectedly so, he ticks the box for a modern goalie and yet retains the conventionalism of a proper goal tender.
Perhaps the biggest plus to his game is his calmness and ability to think on his feet in split seconds.
This was evident in his two penalty saves during the quarterfinals match against defending champions, Senegal.
Nigeria won the shoot out, 3-1, to book a spot at the U20 World Cup in Chile, and Harcourt was truly a Flying Eagle – the star.
It is only a matter of time before he gets a look in from the Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle as the gears of his transitioning team kicks into motion.
Harcourt has the wealth of experience of his father at his beck, but even more so he can be buoyed by the ambition of some day becoming Nigeria’s first choice goalkeeper – even at senior men’s level.
Time and his work ethic will tell and the guidance of his coaches might ensure he stays firm on the path to actualizing even bigger goals.
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