After his heroics at the 1996 Olympic Games where Nigeria emerged as the first black country to win the gold medal in Olympic football, Dosu Joseph signed with then Serie A club Reggiana. Unfortunately, he never got to make an impact in Italy and was forced to hang his boots at a young age of 23, due to his career-ending automobile accident.
Twenty-four years later another Nigerian, Victor Osimhen has signed for another Italian club and Dosu is sure the striker will be a hit in Italy.
Dosu who over the years runs a football academy Westerlo also shares his expertise on some issues around goalkeeping and goalkeepers in Nigeria national team.
Enjoy excerpts…
PT: You successfully steered Westerlo football academy into becoming one of Nigeria’s best football club to have produced top stars. How’s Westerlo fairing now
DOSU: Westerlo was formed in 2002 and since then we’ve been existing and giving God the glory. Up till now, we are where we expect to be; producing players for the league and national team as well as European clubs. Everything that has happened is all to the glory of God and not to the glory of man.
Goalkeepers You must be disappointed that Emmanuel Emenike could not settle down to life at Westerlo (a Belgian Football Club which Dosu’s Academy is affiliated to).
DOSU: Yes, I was informed by Westerlo before they signed him. I know Emenike very well as a good player who can score goals and help the club achieve great things but unfortunately, it doesn’t work out. It’s like marriage, anything can happen but if it doesn’t happen you just make sure both of you leave in peace. Of course, if it doesn’t work out at Westerlo it can work out elsewhere. Like I said earlier, he is a disciplined player but it was just unfortunate he couldn’t stay at Westerlo.