Is Akpeyi Rohr Anointed Goalkeeper? Training With NO 1 Kit, Alampasu 23

The battle for the goalkeeper to be named in the starting XI versus Algeria started on Tuesday, with manager Rohr and goalkeeper trainer Alloy Agu searching for a replacement for Wolverhampton Wanderers netminder Carl Ikeme, who is not in camp because he is nursing an injury.

Chippa United goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi appears to be winning the psychological battle to get the nod of the coaching staff as he has been assigned the number one jersey, usually reserved for the first choice goalie, and worn by Ikeme during the World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

Akpeyi, 30, is the natural choice to to replace Ikeme as he is the most experienced experienced out of the three goalkeepers and impressed in the 1-0 loss to Egypt back in March when he was called upon to man the posts after the English-based goalkeeper pulled out of the squad.

Dele Alampasu, who is training with the number 23 jersey, has conceded in every single game he has been involved in the Portuguese third-tier this season ( nine in total), and was not even considered for his team’s 18-man squad last weekend against Moimenta da Beira.

The national team coaches are aware that FC Ifeanyi Ubah goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa is lacking match fitness and he underwent special training on Tuesday evening.

This is the first time that Akpeyi and Alampasu have been called up by Gernot Rohr .

Ifeanyi Emmanuel