Injury Knocks out Akpeyi for Ezenwa
Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has confirmed that FC IfeanyiUbah goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, will start tomorrow’s World Cup 2018 qualifier against Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
South Africa-based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has been deputising for Carl Ikeme who has been down with leukemia. The Chippa United goalkeeper was in goal last November when Nigeria defeated Algeria 3-1 to consolidate on the first win in Ndola Zambia.
However, Akpeyi, fluffed the chance to keep the number one keepers’ gloves when he conceded two cheap goals in South Africa’s defeat of Eagles in an AFCON 2019 qualifier at the same Nest of Champions ground in Uyo.
Speaking yesterday at the last media parley before the first of the Russia 2018 doubleheader clash with Cameroon, Rohr announced that injury has forced Akpeyi to the sideline to thrust Ezenwa to the front burner.
“This boy (Ezenwa) who plays in Nigeria will now start the game,” Rohr began.” He did well with the home-based national team (against Benin Republic) and he will do well (against Cameroon). We will protect him and give him confidence. The home fans will also give him confidence,” the Franco-German Eagles supremo stressed with confidence at the media briefing which held at the team’s Ibom Meridien Resort in the Akwa Ibom capital.
Ezenwa captained Nigeria’s Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) squad that eliminated Benin Republic penultimate weekend in Kano to qualify for next year’s continental finals in Kenya.
Former junior international Dele Ajiboye, who is number one goal-tender for Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) table-toppers Plateau United was called in to replace Akpeyi.
Rohr reassured Nigerians that he has no fear in the composition of the team to confront Cameroon.
“The list of players makes the difference, not so young, more of experienced players. We already have six points; all players are in high spirit.
“We know that we have a good team, we are ready to make the difference, we have all confidence to beat the Indomitable Lions here in Uyo,” he emphasised.