The West African giants have never before advanced past the Round of 16 on world football’s grandest stage, but the stopper has revealed that Nigeria are aiming to better Africa’s best ever performance at the tournament and secure at last a last-four finish.
Browsing: Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Team Administrator Dayo Enebi Achor on Tuesday said: “We all had been hoping that the renewal would come in good time for him to fly to Poland. As it is now, it is not likely that he would make the trip.”
These are the first two in a list of six friendly encounters planned for the Super Eagles by the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of the 21st FIFA World Cup finals in the Russian Federation this summer
Eagles will take on Sudan on Wednesday (today)
As a result, the Super Eagles climb to the top of the group standings, while the Mediterranean Knights move down to second place
Ezenwa is joined for the goalkeeping duties by Oladele Ajiboye and Theophilus Afelokhai, and defensive stalwarts Osas Okoro, Stephen Eze and Kalu Orji Okogbue also made the list, as midfielders Ifeanyi Ifeanyi and Ekundayo Ojo and forwards Sunday Faleye and Emeka Atuloma.
The Captain of the team, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, bared his mind to thenff.com on the team’s preparation and what to expect at the tournament. Excerpts:
Ezenwa told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday that he took the decision “after making some consultations and putting considerations in place’’.
Ezenwa, while speaking on his expectations at the competition next June, said he has always wanted to play at the FIFA World Cup.
The duo ended Cameroon’s dream in the double header clash last month
Maxwell Konadu’s men were unable to beat the Super Eagles when both teams clashed in the group stage of the competition
It was a bright start from Mali as Kone unleashed the first shot from outside the box in just the fifth minute to test goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.
It was a bright start from Mali as Kone unleashed the first shot from outside the box in just the fifth minute to test goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa
The 28-year-old was the Man of the Match in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Sierra Leone at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Monday night.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Super Eagles were forced to a 1-1 draw with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on September 4 in Yaounde during the second leg of their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier.
Energetic midfielder Rabiu Ali and forward Kingsley Eduwo, who both scored as the Eagles prevailed 2-0 over Benin Republic in Kano to qualify for next year’s African Nations Championship, are also included alongside defenders Eze Stephen, Chima Akas, Osas Okoro and Emmanuel Ariwachukwu, and midfielders Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Samuel Mathias and Afeez Aremu.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, Kazeem, said he would, however, not blame Ezenwa for the error, noting that any other goalie could have made a similar mistake.
Ikechukwu Ezenwa was impressive in goal for Nigeria as he started from where he stopped in Uyo with lot of brilliant saves.
The decision was taken on Wednesday after Akpeyi was ruled out of the tie by medics
Ezenwa told the News Agency of Nigeria that the players were abreast with what was at stake, which made victory imperative.