Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that FC Ifeanyiubah goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa will start in goal for Nigeria when they face Cameroon in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Uyo, Southern Nigeria on Friday.
Ezenwa’s choice became obvious after Daniel Akpeyi who has deputized for first choice Carl Ikeme whenever he was unavailable in the past two years got injured during Tuesday’s training at the Training Pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
Many Nigerians have grown impatient with Chippa United’s Akpeyi after the team’s loss to South Africa in June. While Akpeyi is not highly rated, Ezenwa’s stock has risen in recent times after he led Nigeria’s home-based senior team to qualify for next January’s African Nations Championships.
Ezenwa saved a second half penalty in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Benin in the decisive leg of their CHAN 2018 qualifier in Kano and recently made his first start for the main stream Super Eagles side in June against Togo.
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“We have three problems in the goalkeeping position,” begun Rohr at the press conference on Wednesday.
“Vincent Enyeama is injured and not with us at the moment. So also is Carl (Ikeme) who we are supporting. Daniel Akpeyi came with injury and also got injured yesterday (Tuesday).
“So, this man from Nigeria (league), Ezenwa will start.”
Nigeria face Cameroon in Uyo at 5pm local time on Friday.
