Nigeria’s goals machine goes up against the Equatorial Guinean fortress on Sunday

What a tantalizing fixture on matchday one of the other  Group A qualifying plays on Sunday, which has Nzelang Nacional’s magnificent goalkeeping fortress, Jesus Owono, going up against Nigeria’s goalscoring machine Victor Osimhen.

At 22, Equatorial Guinean goalkeeper Owono holds the reins of the Nzalang Nacional defense.

“He’s a modern goalkeeper. On the pitch, his charisma speaks for itself. I admire his kicking game.” confides Juan Micha Obiang, the Equatoguinean coach.

With his athletic ability and 84-meter height, the Deportivo Alavés goalkeeper is one of Africa’s most highly-rated keepers, along with André Onana and Edouard Mendy.

Owono has all the qualities of a talented goalkeeper. He has excellent reflexes, is quick and capable of powerful and precise distribution (both with the foot and the hand), and is excellent at stopping penalties.

“I had never been classically trained and in a way that probably helped me. I had no time to think, so I acted on instinct.”

This is a natural gift for the shot-stopper. He defines himself as someone with an immense curiosity about everything”, who learns about things while having fun.

Choosing football as a profession is also a way for him to find an activity with well-defined rules that allows him to have fun while avoiding distractions. “Football imposed a disciplined environment on and off the field for me.”

Facing Nigeria, Jesús Owono will have to deploy all his qualities to repel the attacks of the Super Eagles.