Teenage Nigerian goalkeeper in Europe reveals Premier League ambition

The Denmark-based goalkeeper has been tipped to sometime be the Tremendous Eagles’ no 1 goalkeeper

Mark Ugboh, 18, is one in every of Nigeria’s few goalkeepers plying their trades exterior the shores of the nation.

The teenage goalkeeper has revealed his ambition to play within the Premier League sometime whereas he additionally stated Manuel Neuer is his goalkeeping idol.

“My massive idol is Manuel Neuer from Bayern Munich as a result of he has a lot high quality. I like his confidence and management and he all the time performs effectively within the massive video games,” Ugboh informed FCM’s official web site.

“Loads of his saves are actually good and that’s one thing I look as much as.”

The Premier League is on the eyesight of each Sub-Saharan African footballer and Ugboh is one in every of them. Being one of many few Nigerian goalkeepers in Europe, he’s in a membership with a recognized historical past of giving alternatives to Nigerian footballers however Ugboh is the primary African goalkeeper on the membership.

Present Tremendous Eagles stars, Paul Onuachu, Frank Onyeka and most not too long ago Raphael Onyedika recorded vital successes on the Danish membership and received their deserved nationwide berths, a feat the teenage Ugboh will sometime be trying ahead to attaining too, after being promoted from the Midjtylland U-19s to the primary staff.

In keeping with the membership’s goalkeepers’ coach, he’s on his solution to greatness.

“Our job is to show Mark some issues, particularly within the technical area. He’s already effectively on his approach and is continually shifting. Now we’ve to work even more durable, and we’ve to have discovered a approach during which we are able to develop him much more,” says Lasse Heinze.

Ugboh by no means obtained goalkeeper coaching earlier than he received to Denmark

The goalkeeper revealed he was an outfield participant for a very long time earlier than switching to turn into a goalie. It was a transfer he made when he found he fared higher in aim.

“When Mark got here to Denmark, he had by no means obtained goalkeeper coaching earlier than. The issues he had realized in Nigeria have been self-taught. We introduced him up right here as a result of he had taught himself some issues we actually favored. A few of these issues usually are not one thing you simply be taught, says Lasse Heinze.

“Mark is so calm to have a look at. He seems like somebody who has stood contained in the aim all his life, and he’s solely 18 years outdated. He’s very, very calm. He’s calm with the ball at his toes, makes good decisions and is an offensive-minded goalkeeper. He incorporates the essential issues that goalkeepers in FCM ought to be capable to do.

“Having the ability to learn the sport and have a implausible movement in your actions throughout matches is one thing you don’t simply be taught. And he already incorporates that.”