‘Ikeme a reliable replacement for Enyeama’

Former Nigeria defender Yisa Shofoluwe has backed Carl Ikeme to take over as the long-term successor to Vincent Enyeama as Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper.

Tanzania held Nigeria to a 0-0 draw in Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, Dar-es-Salaam.

Ikeme who made his Super Eagles’ debut was impressive as he made some breathtaking saves on several occasions to deny the Taifa Stars a chance to take maximum points.

And Shofoluwe has thrown his support behind the 29-year-old, believing his fantastic performance makes him the outstanding candidate to replace the Eagles’ skipper.

“I enjoyed the goalkeeper [Ikeme] who was in goal for us, he was absolutely fantastic,” Shofoluwe told Goal.

“He was the reason we escaped with a draw in Dar es Salam. Cool, calm and blessed with great reflexes, the positive we can take from this game is that that we have a very reliable replacement for Enyeama .

“Summarily, I feel it was a good start for Oliseh. Personally, we should have won the game but that draw is a commendable result.”

Nigeria host Egypt in their next qualifier in March 2016 and the 1980 AFCON winner foresees a tough outing for Sunday Oliseh’s men, and admonishes that with adequate preparations, the Eagles will soar very high.

“Playing against Egypt will be very tough,” he continued.

“We need to invite our best legs and prepare very well because this team are far better than the Tanzanians.

“They are skillful, fast and very compact so we must ensure we secure maximum points at home and hope we get a draw in Cairo.”