World Cup Qualifier: Injury Knocks Out Akpeyi for Ezenwa

Okon Bassey in Uyo

Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has confirmed that FC IfeanyiUbah goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, will start friday’s World Cup 2018 qualifier against Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

South Africa-based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has been deputizing for Carl Ikeme who has been down with leukemia. The Chippa United goalkeeper was in goal in 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 double-header 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 emphasized.

Rohr hinted that former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain, Vincent Enyeama, is on his way back to the team after he had a heart to heart talk with him. “The past is past. He is injured. He has to win the fight against injury before coming back to the squad.”

Enyeama resigned from the national team in 2015 following his disagreement with the then coach Sunday Oliseh.

Eagles’ Captain, John Mikel Obi also reassured Nigerians that Cameroon will fall in Uyo as he’s determined to go to the World Cup in Russia.

“I am here to make sure we qualify for the World Cup. Everybody dreams to go to the World Cup. We are playing at home, we are fit, we have what it takes to win the match,” concludes the former Chelsea midfielder.

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