Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier : I’m ready for Eagles challenge –Ezenwa

Ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier,  CHAN Eagles goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has vowed to give his best to make Nigeria proud.

Ezenwa, who captained Home Eagles squad that eliminated Benin Republic penultimate weekend to qualify for next year’s Africa Nations Championship in Kenya, will start in goal for Super Eagles against Cameroon in Uyo.

South Africa –based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, who was in goal  for the Eagles in the November 2016 3-1 win over Algeria at the same venue, is  ruled out of action on Friday as a result of injury.

The FC Ifeanyi Ubah shot stopper, who was given the nod to start for Nigeria against Cameroon by Coach Gernot Rohr, has already taken up the challenge thrown at him, describing it as a huge responsibility. 

“ It is a huge responsibility to represent Nigeria, I will not not disappoint. I thank the Coaches for this opportunity.” Ezenwa promised.

Meanwhile, the players showed support for Carl Ikeme who is currently battling acute leukaemia with a customized T-shirt during yesterday’s press conference. Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikeme is out for an extended time following his acute leukaemia diagnosis earlier in the summer. Ahead of the game against Cameroon, Captain Mikel led Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Wilfred Ndidi, Leon Balogun and Anthony Nwakaeme to the press conference all wearing shirts with ‘stay strong Carl’.