By Daily Sports on May 27, 2020
Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, has described his performance in Nigeria’s 4-0 defeat of Cameroon in a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo as the game that cemented his position in the national team under Gernot Rohr.
Ezenwa kept a clean sheet in game and went on to perform creditably in the reverse fixture, which ended 1-1 in Yaoundé.
The Heartland of Owerri captain said Rohr and the entire Super Eagles team encouraged him before the matches, adding that he knew after the games that he was in the team to stay.
He disagreed with those who castigate Rohr for neglecting home-based players, arguing that the German encouraged Nigeria-based stars to work hard on their game.
“The game against Cameroun in Uyo was tough and most people rated Cameroun as favourite to win it, but we showed why we are among the best teams in Africa.
“I went all out to give my best. After the 4-0 victory, Rohr came to congratulate me. He said he enjoyed my performance. The success in that game gave me the Super Eagles role. From then, I have been working hard to improve on my game.
“As a home-based player, what Rohr wants from you is to give him what he expects at any given opportunity. If you don’t satisfy him, that is the end.
“If I did not use my first chance well when I had the opportunity in the 2018 World Cup qualifier, I would not have been in the Super Eagles team today. These are lessons domestic players must take note of. They should make good use of any opportunity given to them when invited to the national team camp. Nigeria has quality players in the NPFL that can play in the Super Eagles,” he said.
Ezenwa also disclosed that he has been in Rohr’s good books through self-discipline in camp, adding, “It is good as a player to study your coach and keep to his philosophy and rules. Know how he wants things to be done in camp and do that. Rohr does not discriminate against domestic players.” (Guardian NG)
•PHOTO: Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Source Daily Sports
Posted May 27, 2020
You may also like...
Sport Ministry’s Adopt Campaign Gets Boost as Governor...
Bendel Insurance win big as 2016 Edo FA...
Portugal sack manager Fernando Santos after W’Cup exit...
Guardiola hails victorious Man City
Ah Ahly Spank Kaizer Chiefs To Win CAF...
Expect A Different Super Eagles Against Tunisia On...

Lookman powers Atletico into UCL semi-final
Nigerian heritage duo Obi, Williams drafted into WNBA
Ogundiran wins USTFCCCA Athlete of The Week award
Maktown Flyers unveil five signings for 2026 BAL
Golf: Team GTI wins maiden Industrial Cup in Lagos
Lookman targets UCL semi-final spot in Barca clash
Malawi unveil squad for Falconets clash
Ghanaian footballer killed in armed robbery attack
Table Tennis stars battle for national title in Osun
Nigerian blind sambist wins gold at World Sambo Cup
Chelsea, City clash headlines EPL actions
Okoye targets clean record Milan in clash
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,702 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,030 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,947 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,547 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,477 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,379 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,237 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,781 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,971 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,477 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,886 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,355 views)