The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ezenwa

  • W/Cup Camp:Ezenwa, Eagles coaches arrive in Poland today

    Qoalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa and some other officials, including assistant Coach Imama Amapakabo left yesterday night to join the rest of the Super Eagles squad for a World Cup friendly in Poland.

    Ezenwa was in goal for Enyimba in a CAF Confederation Cup clash against Energie FC of Benin Republic in Calabar on Sunday.

    The first batch of officials flew out from Abuja on Sunday and they included Coach Salisu Yusuf and team administrator Dayo Enebi.

    The Super Eagles will take on fellow World Cup qualifiers Poland on Friday in Wroclaw as part of their preparations for the World Cup in Russia in June.

    They also face another World Cup-bound team Serbia in London four days later.

  • Enyimba’ll Lift CAF Confederation Cup, says Ezenwa

    Enyimba’ll Lift CAF Confederation Cup, says Ezenwa

    Ahead of CAF Confederations Cup and the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League season, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has assured Enyimba that there are no worries for the goalkepping department.
    Though Enyimba made history as the first and only club to win the CAF Champions League in 2003 and 2004 however, no Nigerian club has landed the Confederation Cup yet.
    But, the home based Super Eagles captain has assured the People’s Elephant that there will no problem in the goalkepping department as Enyimba planned to make history as first Nigerian club to win the Confederation onslaught.
    The 29-years-old who has had a fantastic 2017 that saw him become the senior National team’s number one Goalkeeper in very important World Cup qualifying games, will, however, have serious contentions from current no.1 of Enyimba, Theophilus Afelokhai.
    Ezenwa signed a season-long contract with seven-time Nigeria champions Enyimba. He has now revealed he hopes to write history with the Aba club.
    “They have never won this trophy (Confederation Cup) and we will give everything to make this beloved team do that next year,” Ezenwa told scoreniger.com
    “Enyimba are a club I have long admired and I am happy to have signed for them. I have been well received in the team and I am already at home,” he added.
    According to Ezenwa the Super Eagles was been drawn in a decent 2018 World Cup first round group and with self-belief, team work and focus the Eagles will do well at Russia 2018.
    “It’s a good group. Croatia are a good team, we respect them but we do not fear them, Iceland are also good and we played against Argentina in a friendly recently. With good team spirit, focus and self-belief we will have a good World Cup,” he said.
  • Why we keep calling Ezenwa- Yusuf

    Why we keep calling Ezenwa- Yusuf

    Head coach of the Super Eagles Salisu Yusuf has explained why FC Ifeanyi Uba shot stopper Ikechukwu Ezenwa is enjoying the favour of the technical crew.

    Ezenwa’s continual invitation has divided most football lovers in Nigeria, as he is yet to be given a chance to man the post even when they had goalkepper crisis.

    Franco-German Technical Adviser of the team Gernot Rohr who calls the shot has often prefer Chippa United ace Daniel Akpeyi to the former Nigeria U-20 shot stopper in the absence of first choice Carl Ikeme.

    Explaining in a radio interview monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com, Yusuf revealed the reason why Ezenwa is in the team despite failing to dislodge the other two goalkeepers.

    “Ezenwa has been in the team because we wanted to keep the team together [he was a member of the team since last CHAN]. But it doesn’t mean he can’t be changed,” he told Lagos Talks 91.3Fm.

  • Ezenwa wants IfeanyiUbah to remain positive

    Ezenwa wants IfeanyiUbah to remain positive

    Ikechukwu Ezenwa was positive as FC Ifeanyi Ubah departed for Egypt with high hopes of making it to the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

    “We are going there (Egypt ) to make our beloved country, Nigeria proud. The fans should keep praying for us and hopefully we shall make them happy,” Ezenwa told Goal.

    “We have done a phase of the battle in Nnewi and remain positive to finish the second leg well in Egypt. There’s no pressure and we just have to stay focused and concentrate on the second leg.

    “We have our own strategy to execute when we meet them this weekend, we have seen them play and also defeated them by a lone goal, we have more knowledge about their style and approach.

    “There’s a lot of  confidence in the team going into the second leg. The spirit in the camp is very high. We all know what the task is and what is expected from us, victory is very important at this stage.”

    The 2016 Federation Cup champions defeated Egyptian club, Al-Masry 1-0 at the Ifeanyi Ubah international Stadium last Sunday in the first leg of their preliminary tie.

  • Ezenwa: I’m set to replace Carl Ikeme

    Ezenwa: I’m set to replace Carl Ikeme

    Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa has said he is prepared to be in goal for Nigeria against Algeria on Saturday after first-choice Carl Ikeme was ruled out due to injury.

    The FC IfeanyiUbah shot stopper, Ezenwa is now in pole position to be in goal in this weekend’s World Cup qualifier after deputising for Ikeme in the last two Super Eagles matches against Tanzania and Zambia.

    “I have understudied Carl Ikeme and I will give my best for my country to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, if I’m given the chance to be in goal,” said the 28-year-old Ezenwa, who was in goal at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.

    “I’m not under pressure because it’s something I have been doing for some time now and I am confident I will prove myself again. We are looking forward to the game. We will all focus and work hard. We want the maximum three points because we all know what is at stake.”

    “There were some interests when we were in Spain recently but by January we will know where I will go to,” he said.

  • Spanish club Cadiz open transfer talks for Ezenwa

    Spanish club Cadiz open transfer talks for Ezenwa

    AfricanFootball.com  can exclusively report that Spanish second division club, Cadiz CF have opened transfer negotiations for goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who shone during the recent NPFL All-Stars playing tour of Spain.

    A top source informed only AfricanFootball.com: “Cadiz have opened transfer talks for Ezenwa.”

    The former Flying Eagles shot stopper was the main reason the NPFL All-Stars were not roundly beaten by Valencia CF and Atletico Madrid.

    The experienced goalkeeper also commanded his goal area and got a standing ovation when he was replaced by Emeka Nwabulu in the second half against Atletico.

    Ezenwa, who was top choice at this year’s CHAN in Rwanda, was cleared to join FC IfeanyiUbah this season after Sunshine Stars failed to pay him for three months.

    Cadiz hosted the prestigious Trofeo Carranza Tournament, upsetting Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals before they lost the final 2-1 to Malaga.

    All the goals were scored in the second and this was the first triumph by Malaga in the competition after they finished runners-up on three occasions.

  • Ezenwa gets pay rise at IfeanyiUbah

    Ezenwa gets pay rise at IfeanyiUbah

    New FC IfeanyiUbah signing, Ikechukwu Ezenwa will earn an improved monthly salary of N600, 000  at the club, a senior club official has specially informed AfricanFootball.com.

    Both parties have agreed terms over a two-year contract and the goalkeeper will go on to be one of the top earners in the Nigerian league.

    The 27-year-old left Sunshine Stars earlier in the season, citing unpaid salaries and having trained with FC IfeanyiUbah over the last week, he has been offered a deal.

    Ezenwa is believed to have been on N450, 000 a month at Sunshine, N150, 000 less than what he will be getting in Nnewi.

    He is expected to be in goal for the club in their next league fixture.

  • Ezenwa ready for Heartland showdown

    Ezenwa ready for Heartland showdown

    Super Eagles and Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Ikechukwu  Ezenwa has described current stage of the league as  mere prelude adding that contenders and pretenders would soon be separated when the real battle begins.

    Comparing the league to a marathon Ezenwa said it is usual for some athletes or teams to overtake everybody from the blast of the whistle only to board last when it matters most.

    “I can say that the league is just picking up. The real battle has not started, when we begin to hit match 20 and above then you will see the shape the league table will take,” he said

    He thumbed up standard so far, noting that virtually all aspect of the league is improving by the day even as he reminded fans across the nation to support their various clubs without doing anything to tarnish the image of the league

    “The league is improving by the day and that is something we should all be proud about. Everybody’s contribution to the development of the league is important,” he added

    On the Sunshine’s clash against Heartland billed for the Dan Anyiam Stadium Sunday, the former Heartland and Ocean Boys ace said it is a 50-50 encounter where anything is possible

    “We put in our best in every match whether we are playing at home or away and that will not change.  We always aim at achieving the best result at all times,” he submitted

    Sunshine will be heading into Sunday’s match fresh from a 3-0 demolition of El-kanemi Warriors in Akure , while host Heartland file out after 2-1 defeat by 3SC last Saturday. The Nazi millionaires who put up a good show in Ibadan despite the loss will definitely come out smoking especially with resolve by their teeming fans to turn out in large numbers.

  • Ezenwa wants win over Burkina Faso as birthday gift

    Ezenwa wants win over Burkina Faso as birthday gift

    Sunshine Stars FC goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has said victory against the Stallions of Burkina Faso in their African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier in Port Harcourt today will serve as a good birthday gift.

    Speaking ahead of the game against the West African neighbours, Ezenwa said in Port Harcourt on Friday that the only motivation for him is for Nigeria to defeat the Burkinabe team and book the ticket to play in the CHAN tournament. The former Heartland goalkeeper celebrated his birthday on Friday, but he believes victory in today’s game would go a long way to determine his mood and celebration.

    “I thank God for adding another year today (Friday). It is enough motivation to be at my best tomorrow if selected to be in goal”, Ezenwa said. The game is scheduled to hold at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt by 4:00pm today.

  • Ezenwa bullish of his chances with Eagles

    Ezenwa bullish of his chances with Eagles

    Sunshine Stars shot stopper and former youth international Ikechukwu Ezenwa has told AfricanFootball.com he will make his latest invitation to the Super Eagles camp count.

    Twenty-three players from the domestic league will begin a training camp in Abuja today ahead of next month’s AFCON qualifier in Tanzania.

    Ezenwa said  he was elated by his latest form that has seen him make the starting position for title-chasing Sunshine Stars a permanent one and hope to carry such form to the camp of the Eagles to convince the national team selectors pick him ahead of others.

    “I have been there before and by the grace of God, I hope that this invitation will count for me in the eye of the selectors,” he told AfricanFootball.com.

    “It is my desire to be the best between the sticks for the Super Eagles and I am on the form of my life to achieve this.”