A Look at Adebayo Adeleye: The New Super eagle Goalie Handed his Maiden Call up by Coach Jose Peseiro.

Ahead of this month's AFCON 2023 qualifiers double header against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone and Sao Tomme, Super eagles new tactician Jose Peseiro had released his 27 man squad that will execute both games, last week after their friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador respectively. 

Coach Peseiro out of the 27 players invited handed maiden call up to Adebayo Adeleye and Sani Faisal, but Faisal had already made his debut against Mexico during last week friendly.

The inclusion of Adebayo has got some Nigerian football lovers ask questions as per who the youngster is, what he could bring to the super eagles and whether he would provide competition for the error prone Uzoho and Okoye in the goalkeeping department for the super eagles.

The name Adebayo Adeleye may sound new to some people, while some are conversant with the name. The youngster's journey to the top hasn't been easy, but with share determination and resolve with a bit of luck he has found his footing as a professional footballer.

Born in Osun state, the 22 year old played grassroot football around Alimosho Local government Area of Lagos State, where he joined amateur side 36Lions FC of Lagos.

Fortunately for him he was chosen to represent Nigeria at the U17 World cup qualifiers in 2017, where he excelled greatly but the team failed to qualify for the tournament.

The following year 2018 would indeed be a breakthrough year for him as he was lucky to witness the FIFA Goal Project hosted in Abuja at the time after he failed to make it to the U-20 national team, this was where an European scout discovered his talent and took him to Israel.

He signed his first professional contract with Israeli club Hapoel Jerusalem U19, and on the basis of his scintillating performances with the junior side, he was promoted to the senior team in July 2019, and ever since then he's been the first choice goalkeeper for the red devils.

In his first season (2019/2020) for the club, Adebayo made 33 appearance and kept 15 Cleansheets in the process, his second season (2020/21) would see him make 32 appearance keeping a total of 19 Cleansheets. - [Via Transfermarket.]

However, the just concluded 2021/22 season will indeed be a memorable one for the 22 year old shot stopper who amassed 7 Cleansheets in 26 appearance , thereby helping his team maintain their top flight status in the Israel Lighat ha'Al and avoiding relegation.

What He Could Bring to The Super eagles:

Ever since Adebayo got promoted to Hapoel Jerusalem senior team, he has since not taken his foot off the pedal, as he has shown the qualities which he's made up of which are great sense of vision, timing and communicating.

Adebayo Adeleye's breathtaking reflexes and rare ability to comfortably play with his feet has been one of the thing that has Many football enthusiasts, pundits and analysts wagging their tongue in praise and admiration of the Nigerian eligible goalie.

With the above statistics and qualities, it would be seen that Adebayo performed way better than any other Nigerian goalkeeper in Europe, the more reason why he got called up by Peseiro so as to bring these qualities of his to the national team.

The Rivalry between Uzoho and Okoye 

Ever since the retirement of legendary Vincent Enyeama in 2016, the goalkeeping department of the Super eagles hasn't been the same again, the likes of Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho hasn't live up to expectations in recent times.

This could be seen during the last AFCON held in Cameroon, and in the FIFA World cup qualifiers against Ghana where their mistakes cost the team dearly.

However the coming of Adebayo into the fold would indeed make the duo to up their game and provide Stern competition for both goalies considering his statistics for his club side.

When asked on the competition between him and the other two keepers Adebayo replied:

"I'm happy and excited. It's a good feeling and I'm happy to be here with the team, as it is a dream come true for me to represent Nigeria."

"About the competition in the team, I welcome the opportunity, so let's see how it goes."

It's left of us to see if Adebayo will get the nod from coach Peseiro ahead of Uzoho in upcoming qualifiers, but if he does and he impress the new super eagles gaffer both Okoye and Uzoho will have to fight their way back into the starting eleven.

Adebayo Adeleye has everything going for him considering his age, a deal in an improved league will do his career a whole lot of good. If he continue working hard together with determination and consistency, it will be a matter of time before he establishes himself to become the next Vincent Enyeama that Nigerian football fans has been waiting for.