Amadi hails Udoh despite Golden Gloves snub

Golden Eaglets’ goalkeeper trainer, Emeka Amadi, has affirmed Akpan Udoh has nothing to be ashamed off despite not winning the best goalkeeper award at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

Akpan was in goal throughout the tournament for Nigeria and made 24 saves in seven matches but was adjudged second best to Malian Samuel Diarra by the FIFA Technical Study Group (TSG) for the Golden Gloves Award.

But Amadi is impressed with his performance.

“I’m happy that Akpan played his part very well in ensuring that we won the World Cup in Chile,” he said.

“It would have been nice if Akpan was picked as the best keeper but winning theWorld Cup is greater than any individual award.”

Amadi, who was in goal for the Flying Eagles at the  FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi Arabia 1989, said he was pleased with Akpan’s overall performance explaining the teenager has a bright future.

“The World Cup allowed us to see that Akpan is a very good keeper and he justified my judgment for picking him ahead of other goalkeepers and I think we are going to see more of him in other levels of the national team.”