By GEORGE ALUO
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has declared that there is nothing to worry over injured Super Eagles first choice keeper, Carl Ikeme.
Ikeme last week copped injury while playing for his club, Wolverhampton in a league game. NFF’s technical committee chairman, Chris Green disclosed to Daily Sunsports yesterday that Ikeme has confirmed that he is coming for the match as his injury is not that bad.
“We have been in touch with Ikeme and he has confirmed to us that he would be fit to man the post for Nigeria. So there is nothing to worry about,” Green said.
He added that the two other goalkeepers called up by Gernot Rohr for the match, FC IfeanyiUbah’s Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Portugal based Dele Alampasu are equally good and capable of stepping into Ikeme’s shoes if the need arises.
“Ezenwa is a good goalkeeper and Alampasu has been keeping week in week out for his Portuguese club. Before now, we didn’t know how good Ikeme was until Enyeama stopped keeping for the country. The good thing is that we have other safe hands who can do the job if Ikeme is not fit to play.”
Green stressed that 19-year old Dutch based Tyronne Ebuehi was not invited to play against Algeria but to familiarize himself with the team.
“He is one of the young lads we are looking out for to beef up the team in an area of need. We believe he could strengthen the defence. He (Ebuehi) has not turned his back on the country. He has only said he cant come for the match against Algeria and we appreciate why he cant come. He is still in our plans,” Green said.