NAN-S-4
Ezenwa
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Aug. 12, 2017 (NAN) Ebonyi football fans have urged Ifeanyi Ubah’s FC goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, to use Saturday’s CHAN qualifier against Republic of Benin to become the Super Eagles’ first choice goal tender.
The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CHAN Eagles will tackle the Squirrels of Republic of Benin in Cotonou, in the first leg of the “Kenya 2018’’ CHAN final round qualifiers.
Those that were interviewed by NAN on Saturday in Abakaliki were of the view that a good performance from the domestic league goalkeeper would solve the team’s prevailing goalkeeper crisis.
Ajah Okike, a former Ebonyi Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), said that Ezenwa should be supported by all to succeed because of his consistency in the team.
“We should stop toying with our goalkeeping chances against Cameroon but support Ezenwa who has been in the team for long to cement the first team place.
“Ezenwa has been the second choice goalkeeper even before Daniel Akpeyi was invited and it is time for him to take his place as the team’s first choice keeper,’’ he said.
In the same vein, Hillary Obiesie, Secretary of Ebonyi Sports Council, urged relevant soccer authorities to stop clamouring for Enyeama’s return for the team’s benefit.
“We have less than three weeks to the match against Cameroon. The team should concentrate on preparing the available goalkeepers instead of engaging in a wild-goose chase.
“We should not use the Benin Republic match to judge Ezenwa, but encourage him to improve on his performances in spite of being a home-based player,’’ he said.
An Enugu-based football agent, Cajetan Ikpe, said that Enyeama was right to reject his invitation to the team due to the way the soccer authorities treated him.
“He was badly treated right from the Sunday Oliseh’s days and the authorities did little to accord him his full recognition as a captain and patriot.
“However, I join millions of Nigerians to appeal to Enyeama to return to the team for the sake of the soccer fans, who supported him during the trying periods,’’ he said.
Also, Chief Jacob Eneagu, a businessman and soccer enthusiast, called for caution in the call for Enyeama’s return.
“We should determine whether Enyeama is fit and desirous to feature in the match as the same people who are clamouring for his return would vilify him if he performs woefully in matches.
“Ikechukwu Ezenwa should use the Benin Republic match to prove that he is worthy of selection against Cameroon to eclipse the poor performance of Daniel Akpeyi against South Africa,’’ he said.
A teacher, Mrs Juliet Nwizi, urged the soccer authorities to believe in the abilities of home-based players, especially the goalkeepers as was the practice in the past.
“Goalkeepers such Alloy Agu, Peter Rufai among others were groomed locally and they went on to excel at the national and international levels,” she said. (NAN)
RCO/ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Peter Ejiofor)