Super Eagles goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim reveals how his
teammates stood by him after he conceded two soft goals against Mozambique in a
CHAN Group A match on Wednesday night.
Needing to avoid defeat to prevent themselves from bowing
out in the group phase, the Super Eagles went into the break against the Mambas
with the scores locked at 2-2 after Agbim had allowed Dario Khan’s free-kick
from well over 30 yards out to go through his hands, while for the second goal
he went to ground, allowing Diogo to score in an empty net.
Agbim admitted his first half performance was well below
par, but thanked his teammates for their words of encouragement which enabled
him to complete the 90 minutes without any further blunders as Nigeria won 4-2.
“I was disappointed when the first goal came. I don’t
think any goalkeeper would be happy when he concedes a goal like that. But I
give credit to my players. They just talked me up; they said they would fight
for me,” the 29-year-old said.
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi also backed his number one,
saying: “The second goal … this field is very slippery. I mean, there is
nothing you can do. I have known him [Agbim] now for two years.
“Talented goalkeeper, but when you play on a field like
this … it happened to [Itumeleng] Khune the South Africa goalkeeper [against
Mali]. The first goal though, I can’t complain … the guy [Khan] hit it right.”
Culled from Kickoffnigeria
