Irish goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu made his debut for Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Crewe Alexandra.
His manager, Danny Cowley, reserved a special word of praise for the young Dubliner after a stellar debut for Pompey.
Portsmouth manager Cowley praises Gavin Bazunu
Bazunu, who made his debut for Ireland against Luxembourg in March, signed for Portsmouth on a year-long loan from Man City last month.
His debut for Pompey was delayed by a week due to a quad injury, but he made his bow on Saturday in their second game of the season against Crewe.
He kept an impressive clean sheet, and was even involved in the buildup to Portsmouth's second goal, a brilliant team goal finished off by fellow Irishman Marcus Harness.
Freeman > Tunnicliffe > Freeman > Harness > Raggett > Bazunu > Robertson > Curtis > Tunnicliffe > Harness
😎 Football.#Pompey pic.twitter.com/Duy5jHqsZn— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) August 15, 2021
After the game, Portsmouth manager was full of praise for Gavin Bazunu's performance on his debut, declaring him one of the best young goalkeepers in England.
I’ve said before that I feel we’ve got two of the best young goalkeepers around – certainly in this country. We’d planned to change in midweek, but Gavin wasn’t quite ready to start after coming back from that quad injury.
There’s so much faith in him that he can be a real protagonist in our attacking play, despite wearing the number one. Gavin can play so high out of his goal and that allows us to use him as our pivot and that allows us to get an extra number up the pitch.
It is very important to us and he is very confident in that moment and we worked that one well.
The signs are bright for Bazunu after a strong start to life on the south coast. His form will be a crucial element if Portsmouth are to finally break out of League One and continue their move back up the English footballing pyramid.
With Caoimhín Kelleher's long-term future committed to Liverpool, and Gavin Bazunu putting in strong performances, the future looks bright between the sticks for the Irish team.
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