By Daily Sports on June 13, 2019

There is a rising trend in world football today which sees top clubs and teams placing much emphasis on having goalkeepers who are not just good on reflexes and defense organisation alone but, as well, an ability to orchestrate play from the back.

Big teams increasingly value the patient build up style of play that involves their goalkeeper initiating the play with an ability to pass the ball just like any other in field played.

Think Pep Guardiola the Manchester City coach with his love of his Ederson the master passer of a goalie, think Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp spending heavily on Allison Becker, another excellent passer and confident ’keeper. These players have added a lot of value to their clubs by their rare ability to pass accurately, dribble when necessary and their sheer overall confidence to play.

Goalkeepers with such characteristics help their teams to destabilise their opponents, thereby opening a route to hurting the opponents by bypassing them enroute to goal.

In Nigeria, these qualities in a goalkeeper are even rarer in our domestic game that often overlook these attributes for goalies who acrobatically throw themselves down after catching the easiest of shots.

But there are a few goalies out here who possess fhe qualities sought out in the modern ’keeper. One of such goalies I have had the pleasure of watching and coaching is Tosan Daniel.

The teenager, who is currently on loan at NNL division 1 side Sapele Lions, is simply a delight to watch for those with a keen eye for appreciating the advantages of those accurate little one-touch passing, keeping the ball expertly for a few seconds to give teammates the needed seconds to adjust their shape and get into the right positions.

Daniel is not all about the passing. He can effectively organise his defense, has the agility and positioning sense to keep out long and short range shots and also has a good command of his box, with good handling of crosses.

But there’s no doubt when watching him that the stand outside of his game that differentiates him from his peers is his nice long and short range passing ability.

These abilities were in sharp display late January when he played for Benin Warriors against Sapele Lions in a friendly match which the Warriors won 2-0 in Sapele. Daniel was a calm presence in the Warriors’ goal, helping to keep the NNL side at bay with his composure on the ball.

After the game, Sapele Lions requested for his services and today he is first choice there.

I believe very strongly that if Nigerian football is to grow beyond the functional kick-and-follow football habit we have acquired over the years to levels that look like beautiful art, involving good flowing moves, then we must recognise the value and contributions of the modern ’keeper to this desired way of playing.

We should take note of the likes of Tosan Daniel for in people like him lies some of the answers to the tactical problems of our teams.

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Edo Grassroots Clubs Congratulate new FA Chairman

Youth clubs in Edo State have been sending their messages of congratulations to the newly-elected chairman of the Edo State FA, Hon. Henry Asemota.

Benin Warriors FC of Benin City, one of the two youth clubs that endorsed the candidacy of Hon. Asemota, notes that his coming into the saddle as the FA Chairman of Edo State carries with it all the positive potentials for better football development in the state.

Benin Warriors believe Hon. Asemota is a sound mind that understands the intricacies involved in football administration and that he has the modern perspectives to handle these intricacies in a fair and just manner for all stakeholders of the game in the state and beyond.

Royal Force youth academy of Benin City President Blessed Chimezie in his congratulatory message said: “Congratulations my chairman. Your victory in the last election will bring a new development in Edo state football. I and my team Royal Force wish you and all the best.”

Another Benin City-based youth club through its coach Mr Nathaniel Gaye said: “Congratulation to our elegant, capable and competent EFA newly elected chairman, Hon. Osaro O. Asemota. On behalf of the management and the players of Cliba FC wish you and your staff God’s blessings and wisdom to take Edo State football to another greater level.”

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 13, 2019

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