Crystal Palace goalkeeper Owen Goodman recently visited the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, in Abuja, the country’s capital city.
Owen Goodman’s meeting with the NFF President went viral with speculations that he could switch his allegiance to playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Even though the purpose of Goodman’s visit is currently unknown, reports suggest that it could indicate his desire to connect with his Nigerian heritage.
The 20-year-old, who was born in England to a British father and Nigerian mother, is eligible to play for England, Nigeria, and Canada.
While he had previously considered representing Canada and even participated in an Under-20 training camp in April 2022, Goodman, who is of Nigerian descent through his mother, has previously expressed his interest in representing the Super Eagles at the international level.
Despite receiving an invitation to join the Flying Eagles training camp for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in January 2023, he was unable to honour the invitation due to a call-up to England Men’s Elite League Squad.
This visit to the NFF president could be seen as a positive step in building that relationship and possibly opening up opportunities for him to wear the green and white colors of Nigeria in the future.
The young goalkeeper has been gaining attention for his performances at Crystal Palace’s academy and could be a valuable addition to the Nigerian national team if he chooses to pursue that path.
Owen Goodman and his background
Owen Olamidayo Goodman, who has an English father and a Nigerian mother was born in Harold Wood, England on 27 November 2003.
He moved to Canada to live with his parent in 2009.
The 20-year-old English footballer plays as a goalkeeper for Colchester United on loan from Crystal Palace.
His club career
Having started his career with Crystal Palace at the Under-13 level, he signed his first professional contract with the club in July 2021.
Despite being named in the Premier League matchday squad four times, he is yet to make his first-team debut for the club.
During the previous season, Goodman was loaned out to Colchester United where he played in 40 games across various competitions. He managed to secure four clean sheets during his loan spell with the League Two side.
Owen Goodman’s International career
The goalkeeper of Anglo-Canadian-Nigerian descent has played for the England Under-20s in two matches, participating in a friendly against the United States in March 2023 and another against Romania in the Under-20 Elite League in December of the same year.
What’s next?
Only time will tell what comes of this meeting between Goodman and the NFF president, Ibrahim Gusau but it certainly seems to be a promising development for both parties involved.
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