South Africa, Eagles match fallout: Why Ezenwa was picked ahead of Akpeyi- Agu
Super Eagles’ goalkeeper trainer Aloy Agu has come out to reveal the major reasons why Enyimba FC goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was picked ahead of Chippa United FC goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi for Nigeria’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying natch against host the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.
‘ I would like to note that the football rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa coupled with the fact that 2019 Africa Cup of Nations ticket was at stake in Johannesburg on Saturday made the natch not only explosive but very tensed.
” Talking about the goalkeeping department you know Ezenwa has been doing very well, in fact the three goalkeepers namely Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi and Ezenwa have been impressive in training before the South Africa match. So it has to come to decision making”, Agu confessed to SportingLife.ng.
The Eagles’ goalkeeper trainer also disclosed that, “all the training sessions that we have been having even when Uzoho was around, Ezenwa has been very very outstanding. Even while playing for his club Enyimba International, Ezenwa was intact and always ready for Eagles’ assignments, that’s why we called for him to man the post against South Africa”, Agu explained.
For the Eagles versus Uganda match, the former Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper believed that the Chippa United goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi is also in a terrific form to man the post for the Eagles against hot Uganda team that has also qualified for the 2019 AFCON.
” Yes we know that it’s a friendly game but we should also remember that Uganda has also qualified for next year’s AFCON. So we want to show that our qualification is not a fluke. So I believed that a lot of chances will be given to players and goalkeeper that have not played. Any player that get the chance will definitely prove his mettle in the front Nigerians that are watching the match. If picked I believe Akpeyi will shine too”, Agu disclosed.