Nigerian-British goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi produced a remarkable performance in the New Zealand Derby on Sunday, pulling off 10 saves and two penalty stops, even as Wellington Phoenix fell to rivals Auckland in a tightly contested encounter.
Oluwayemi, who kept his side in the game with a string of world-class interventions, emerged as the standout performer despite the loss.
His reflexes, command of the box, and penalty-saving heroics drew applause from fans and neutrals, with many describing his outing as one of the finest goalkeeping displays of the season.
The 23-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur academy product, who represented England at U15 level and received a Super Eagles call-up in 2021, reminded observers of his immense potential and international pedigree.
While the Phoenix were unable to overturn Auckland’s advantage, Oluwayemi’s brilliance ensured the defeat wasn’t heavier — and reaffirmed his status as one of the most exciting young goalkeepers eligible for Nigeria.
With form like this, calls for another Super Eagles invitation may soon grow louder.
