Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who captained Nigeria’s Africa Nations Championship squad that eliminated Benin Republic penultimate weekend to qualify for next year’s continental finals in Kenya, will start in goal for the Super Eagles against Cameroon in Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker in Uyo.
This was announced at the team’s press conference held at the Ibom Meridien Hotel, Uyo on Wednesday.
South Africa –based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, who was in goal in the November 2016 3-1 win over Algeria at the same venue, has finally been ruled out of action on Friday as a result of injury.
Former junior international Dele Ajiboye, who is number one goal –tender for Nigeria Professional Football League table –toppers Plateau United, has been called in to replace Akpeyi.
As at Wednesday afternoon, there had been no definite word from the Cameroonians to the Nigeria Football Federation as to their arrival time or mode of transport into Nigeria.
Friday’s showdown at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium will kick off by 5pm.
Cameroon In For Make Or Break Tie
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will arrive Uyo on Thursday morning for the crucial make or break World Cup qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio ‘Nest of Champions’ International Stadium.
The Lions would need to pick at least four points from both the first and second legs to stand a chance of qualifying for Russia 2018 World Cup at the expense of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Coach Hugo Broos tutored side is expected to have a light training on the pitch later on arrival before the match proper on Friday.
The Lions had full training sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday in Yaounde before departing to Nigeria on Thursday morning for the match.
“On Thursday morning, we take the flight to Nigeria, on Friday we have the game and we return directly after the game.
“The match is at 5 pm, there is only an hour’s flight. So we’re going to be back in Yaounde at about midnight.
“It is very good; we will again sleep in our hotel. So, Saturday-Sunday: training and already Monday, we have the return match,” said Broos.
Broos assured that he is reflecting his players’ self-belief ahead of the double header against Nigeria.
“I am ready for Nigeria war and I hope the players will follow me to accomplish the task,” Broos declares.
Left-full back remains Cameron’s weakest link as Broos struggles to fill the huge vacuum that Oyongo Bitolo’absence has left in the defense. This is a flaw Victor Moses can effectively capitalise on come Friday.
Nigeria, on six maximum points from their first two matches, will all but seal a place in Russia if they snap up the three points on offer on Friday evening in Uyo. Zambia and Algeria, the other two teams in the group, have one point each and clash at the Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday.
