Article by FOOTEM

Dosu Joseph Calls for Patience with Young Goalkeeper Following Flying Eagles’ World Cup Departure

Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Dosu Joseph has defended 15-year-old Ebenezer Harcourt, following Nigeria’s exit from the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.

The young goalkeeper faced heavy criticism after Nigeria lost 4-0 to Argentina in the Round of 16. His early errors were decisive; he misjudged a cross that allowed Alejo Sarco to score just two minutes in and failed to stop a free kick from Maher Carrizo, which increased Argentina’s lead.

In response to the criticism, Dosu Joseph called for support and patience for the young player. He emphasized on social media that Harcourt is still developing and just needs encouragement. He cautioned that harsh criticism might hurt the player’s confidence and future progress.

Dosu, who became known as a young goalkeeper in the 1990s, reminded everyone that mistakes are part of learning for any player.

Before the World Cup, Harcourt showed promise with solid performances at the WAFU Zone B Championship and the U20 AFCON, where he helped Nigeria secure bronze. Although his performance dipped in Chile with goals conceded in every match, he is expected to learn from these experiences and continue to develop as one of Nigeria’s top goalkeeping talents.