Before the Cup of Nations kicked off the comparative poverty of Nigerian goalkeeping cupboard was highlighted as a weakness in the Super Eagles team. First choice Ike Shorunmu answered those critics in fine style, and now number two, Murphy Akanji has a chance to make his own name.

Shorounmu in action for the Super Eagles
in their last World Cup qualifier in Ghana

The Osun State born keeper was thrust into the spotlight when Shorunmu was injured against Ghana in a first half collision with Isaac Okoronkwo.

Although he did not have much to do against the Ghanaians, he exhibited a calm assurance throughout and with his siege gun kicking a useful weapon to put the opposition under quick pressure.

Akanji says that goalkeepers are a bit different. "Goalkeepers are
characters on the pitch and that's because you have to possess qualities that other players don't have. You need to organize your defence and they have to respect you. You also get thrown into situations that other players do not experience. And then there is the training, and sometimes people look at you doing things as if you are crazy, but they do not know that is what you have to do to be a goalkeeper."

"I've never wanted to be anyone else, although I do admire Barthez at the moment."

Akanji loves playing football and says he always wanted to make a name for himself. He ended up in goal just so he could get a game as a youngster.

"When I was young I played with the older boys, and if you didn't decide to
play in goal you didn't get a place on the team. From there I started
playing in goal and developed an interest in playing in goal. By the time I got to secondary school people were advising me that I should stay in goal."

At the moment Akanji is playing his club football with Sliema Wanderers in Malta.

"I should have moved to Chievo in Italy by now but there are still some
things that have to be finalized before the deal can go through. At the
moment, I'm not doing too badly in Malta with Sliema and I'm not in a rush to move."

I don't know what I'll do when I finish playing. Perhaps I'll become a
businessman. It all depends on what God has chosen for me. For now I just want to concentrate on my football.

Akanji is firmly in the corner of perpetually under fire coach Shaibu Amodu. "I've seen some good coaches in Europe and some of my team-mates talk about the qualities of the coaches that they have played under. I think Amodu is not doing badly in comparison to them and in my opinion he is a good tactical coach."

The Nigerian goalkeeping cupboard is looking a little less empty after this Cup of Nations.