Akpeyi, Ikeme back Ezenwa

Injured Daniel Apeyi has charged fellow goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa to justify his starting spot in today’s World Cup qualifier against Cameroon.

A relapse of a thigh injury in Eagles training forced Akpeyi to miss out on the World Cup qualifiers and hand Ezenwa his first start for the Super Eagles in a competitive game.

“Akpeyi and I have spoken. He told me, ‘I believe you can do it, just go out there and make us proud.’ I have also spoken with Carl Ikeme, (who is undergoing treatment for acute leukaemia) and he also told me I can do it.

“They are behind me with prayers, all I need is to just keep focus and leave the rest to God.”

The IfeanyiUbah goalkeeper said he in turn has wished both rivals quick recovery.

“Daniel and Carl are my brothers and I always pray for quick recovery for them,” Ezenwa told SCORENigeria.

He added that international exposure – 2007 U-20 World Cup, NPFL playing tour of Spain and the 2016 CHAN – has prepared him for today’s challenge.

“The experiences from these competitions will go a long way in helping me,” he said.

“I don’t see playing against Cameroon as something so big because I have been doing it before and I have played against bigger clubs in Europe.

“To play against Cameroon is a good thing and it’s a good exposure for me because it’s a World Cup qualifier.

“I just need to be focused on the game.”