Sporting Lagos Academy’s prodigious goalkeeper, Ebenezer Harcourt, has firmly announced his arrival this week—making his debut for Nigeria’s Super Eagles at just 15 years old and keeping a clean sheet in their 2‑0 victory over Congo at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group D clash. The historic appearance on August 19 marked the youngest ever Super Eagles debutant.
Coach Eric Chelle surprised many by selecting Harcourt, who had excelled with Nigeria’s U‑20 side earlier this year. The teenager, born in 2009, slipped into the starting XI in Dar es Salaam and delivered a composed, confident performance that helped steady the team after earlier setbacks.
Playing in place of veteran goalkeepers, Harcourt displayed uncanny maturity—commanding his penalty area and making key saves throughout the 90 minutes. His debut earned praise from teammates, coaching staff, and fans on social media for a ‘calm under pressure’ performance that belied his age.
Before his senior breakthrough, Harcourt’s breakthrough at the 2025 U‑20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt had already turned heads—he kept multiple clean sheets and famously saved two penalties in a crucial quarter-final shootout against Senegal, helping Nigeria finish third and qualify for the U‑20 World Cup.
Despite Nigeria’s earlier loss to Senegal and a heavy defeat by Sudan, the 2‑0 win over Congo offered a glimmer of promise. Harcourt’s performance injected optimism into a CHAN campaign that had already seen the team exit at the group stage.
The Sporting Lagos-trained talent now joins the Super Eagles camp ahead of preparations for the FIFA U‑20 World Cup in Chile, where he is expected to feature prominently. Analysts say his debut could signal a generational shift in national goalkeeping options for Nigeria.
Harcourt remained grounded in his post-match comments, crediting his selection to faith and preparation: “It’s my first time with the team… everything is all about opportunity… With the goalkeeper trainer guiding me, I believe I will be great.” A future star in the making, his journey has just begun.
