Super Eagles Coach Rohr : Ikechukwu Ezenwa Was Fourth Choice Goalkeeper

Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that Ikechukwu Ezenwa was the fourth choice goalkeeper before he recently became the national team's first-choice.

Based on the statement of the German-born manager, it is thought that Wolves star Carl Ikeme, Daniel Akpeyi and Dele Alampasu were ahead of Ezenwa in his pecking order of goalkeepers.

Ezenwa's excellent performance in the World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon and the WAFU Cup of Nations made it hard for Rohr and goalkeeper trainer Alloy Agu to drop him for the match with Zambia in October.

''The team has evolved well, despite some adjustments, injuries, including the goalkeeper position, since it is the fourth (Ikechukwu Ezenwa) who became the first choice,'' Rohr told L'Equipe.

''It was quite exceptional. We worked with a lot with local players. It was not a long calm river. I had to be vigilant, find solutions to difficult situations and last minute injuries.''

Nigeria were faced with a goalkeeper crisis after the undisputed number one goalie Carl Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukaemia after returning for pre-season.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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