Dolphins’ first choice goalkeeper, Sunday Rotimi, has explained why he should be given another chance to play for the senior national team, the Super Eagles.
Sunday Rotimi
He said: “I have the experience and the ability to be in the team, and I think the technical crew of the team should give me another chance to prove myself.”
Rotimi has been in devastating form this season and he believes the time is right for him to make a return to the national team.
His words: “It is a message to the coaches and other Nigerians that I still have a part to play.
“I have done it before and I can surely do it again.
“A lot of Nigerians will remember the WAFU Cup tourney a few years ago where I made costly mistakes in the semi-final and final, but Nigerians should realise that everybody makes mistakes and I have put those errors behind me now.”
Rotimi has been in fine form this season, keeping 13 clean sheets in all competitions, including 10 in the League.
His clean sheets include games against Kano Pillars in Port Harcourt, Sharks at the Sharks FC Stadium and Sunshine Stars in Akure, all difficult grounds and teams to play against unscathed.
He also kept clean sheets against high-scoring Bayelsa United (with League top-scorer, Peter Ebimobowei, in its ranks) and Rangers International with Ejike Uzoenyi.
“It’s what I do. I’ve been in this game for so long and, like wine, I get better with age.”
Aside his clean sheets, Rotimi has saved three penalty kicks in the League in away games against El Kanemi, Kaduna United and Sunshine Stars.
“The coaches should look my way. No one is taking anything away from Vincent Enyeama as Nigeria’s number one, but there are still two other goalkeepers needed to complete the number in the Eagles, and I believe I should be one of them,” he added.
Rotimi was second choice to Vincent Enyeama in the Eagles in 2003 and 2004 before he moved to Israel and lost his number two shirt to Austin Ejide.
He has been a Dolphins player since 2004, though he went away to Israel in 2005 and returned in 2007.
He has played more than 200 games for Dolphins in all competitions.
