Former Nigeria goalkeeper Dosu Joseph has insisted that the country possesses enough quality goalkeepers within the domestic league, arguing that lack of trust, not talent, is the biggest obstacle for home-based players.
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Speaking on the state of goalkeeping in Nigerian football, Dosu emphasized that capable shot-stoppers exist across the Nigeria Premier Football League, the Nigeria National League, and lower divisions.
“The talent is there,” he said.
According to the former international, local goalkeepers can succeed at the highest level if coaches are willing to give them genuine opportunities.
“They just need trust,” he implied.
Dosu pointed out that many home-based players struggle to break into the national team setup because they are often overlooked in favour of foreign-based options.
“It’s about belief,” he noted.
He referenced former national team coaches Sunday Oliseh and Stephen Keshi as examples of managers who gave domestic league players opportunities to prove themselves.
“They trusted local players,” he added.
For Dosu, building confidence in home-based goalkeepers is essential for the long-term development of Nigerian football.
“We must support our own,” he stressed.
He also argued that competition between local and foreign-based players would ultimately strengthen the national team.
“It improves the squad,” he said.
As debates continue around player selection and domestic football standards, Dosu remains convinced that quality exists within Nigeria’s leagues.
For him, the message is clear.
Trust local talent.
Create opportunities.
And let players grow.
Because without belief, even the best talent can remain unseen.
