Niger Tornadoes keeper Julu gets first Liberia call-up for Cape Verde ties
- Niger Tornadoes goalkeeper Derrick Daddy Julu has been invited to Liberia's senior squad for the first time.
- Liberia face Cape Verde in Praia on 13 November and in Monrovia four days later.
- Julu kept three clean sheets in four NPFL games this month.
Niger Tornadoes goalkeeper Derrick Daddy Julu has earned his first call-up to Liberia's senior national team, the Lone Star, for next month's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cape Verde.
According to the Liberia Football Association's invitation, the first leg will be played in Praia on Friday, 13 November. The return fixture is set for Monrovia on 17 November.
The call-up follows a strong October for Julu in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). He kept three clean sheets in four matches and conceded just once, according to reports.
Niger Tornadoes have congratulated their goalkeeper on the invitation and wished him well with Liberia.
Why Liberia need him
Liberia are under pressure in the qualifying group. They lost their opening two games and sit without a point.
They began with a 3-1 away defeat to Rwanda, then lost 1-0 at home to Mali. Two games against Cape Verde now look important if the Lone Star are to keep their hopes of reaching the tournament alive.
For Julu, the invitation is a chance to show his club form on a bigger stage. For Tornadoes, it means their goalkeeper could be away for international duty in the middle of the NPFL season.
Nigerian clubs have grown used to losing key players during international windows, and coaches often have to reshuffle their teams for league games in that period.
What happens next
Liberia play Cape Verde in Praia on 13 November, then host the return leg in Monrovia on 17 November. The call-up marks a step up for a goalkeeper plying his trade in the NPFL.
