Sweden-based goalkeeper, Jonathan Rasheed eager to boost Super Eagles' AFCON prospects

• Sweden-based goalkeeper Jonathan Rasheed has expressed his eagerness to represent Nigeria as the Super Eagles prepare for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

While Nigeria boast some of the world's finest attackers in Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Taiwo Awoniyi, among others, the country's goalkeepers have fumbled and faltered in recent times.

None of Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleke, or Maduka Okoye has convinced with their performances, and there are growing calls for head coach Jose Peseiro to consider other options.

One of the goalkeepers included in the conversations is IFK Värnamo shot-stopper, Rasheed.

However, amidst speculations suggesting his potential role in resolving the three-time African champions' goalkeeping predicament, the IFK Värnamo goalkeeper refrained from making bold claims.

In an exclusive interview with EaglesTracker, Rasheed humbly stated, "That's not for me to say. I would be honoured if I got the possibility to say that I would be a solution that I couldn't say. But if I got the chance, I would do everything in my power to make it as good as possible."

Born in Sweden to a Nigerian father and a Norwegian mother, Rasheed is eligible to play for all three football-mad nations.

Rasheed has, however, stated his readiness to play for the Super Eagles.

Emphasising his Nigerian roots, the 31-year-old goalkeeper expressed his enthusiasm for a national team call-up, affirming, "I have a Nigerian passport, so it's always been a dream of mine to go to the national team. I don't feel like it's worth being disappointed about it. It's more like if it comes, I will be very happy; if not, I will still fight and try to make it."

The former Stabæk goalkeeper highlighted his familiarity with Nigerian football talents, referencing encounters with Victor Boniface and Victor Osimhen.

"For a football player, it is the biggest thing that you can do - represent your country. It would be a big, big honour, so I don't think you can describe it until you are there," Rasheed expressed passionately.

"My old team, BK Hacken, played against Boniface like two weeks ago, and that would, of course, be amazing, just not even playing with, playing against. And then, of course, Osimhen in Napoli is a big player now, and then you have all these players that play in the Premier League," he continued.

Nigeria will face Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with coach Peseiro yet to release the names of invited players for the games.

Majority of the players invited for the November engagements will likely form the core of the squad that will head to Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Watch the full interview below