EBENEZER HARCOURT: THE 16-YEAR-OLD WHO REWROTE SUPER EAGLES’ HISTORY IN TANZANIA

..Teenage Shot-Stopper Announces Himself With Clean Sheet On CHAN Debut_

In the footballing folklore of Nigeria, the emergence of prodigious talents has never been in short supply. From the rise of Nwankwo Kanu at the U-17 stage, to Mikel Obi dazzling the world at youth tournaments, Nigeria has built a reputation for producing gems. But on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in faraway Tanzania, another chapter was written—this time between the sticks.

Ebenezer Harcourt Enwereuzo, the 16-year-old sensation from Ukwa East and current safe hands of Sporting Lagos, became the youngest goalkeeper ever to don the Super Eagles jersey in a competitive game. Thrown into the spotlight at the ongoing 2024 CHAN tournament, the teenager marked his debut with the calmness of a veteran, keeping a clean sheet in Nigeria’s only victory at the competition so far.

Born in 2009, Harcourt is not a stranger to pressure. Earlier this year, he was in goal for Nigeria’s Flying Eagles at the U-20 AFCON in Egypt, where he helped the team clinch a bronze medal. His composure, reflexes, and maturity beyond his years caught the attention of Super Eagles gaffer Eric Chelle, who boldly drafted him into the CHAN squad after former Enyimba goalkeeper Ani Ozoemena failed to recover from injury.

On the night of his debut, Harcourt stood tall—literally and figuratively—commanding his area, pulling off decisive saves, and exuding the confidence that belied his teenage status. His performance not only inspired the Eagles to their first win of the tournament but also announced him as a name for the future.

Football romantics will find extra poetry in the fact that the young goalkeeper is the son of Enyimba’s revered goalkeeper trainer, proving once again that football runs deep in Nigerian bloodlines.

With the CHAN curtain set to close for Nigeria, Harcourt’s story is far from done. The teenager is expected to rejoin Coach Aliu Zubairu’s U-20 squad as preparations intensify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup next month. If his CHAN debut is anything to go by, Nigeria may just have unearthed its next legendary shot-stopper—one who could define a generation.

For now, Nigerian fans can sit back and dream. A new guardian has risen between the posts, and his name is Ebenezer Harcourt Enwereuzo—the 16-year-old who made the Super Eagles believe again.