The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday confirmed that Wolverhampton goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, will miss the forthcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Algeria due to an injury.
Ikeme, 30, was forced out of the English Championship game away to Blackburn Rovers at the weekend due to a sore hip injury he suffered in the encounter.
The NFF took to social media platform, Twitter, to confirm the player’s absence and revealed that South Africa-based shot stopper, Daniel Akpeyi, will step in as his replacement.
Hip injury knocks @Carl_Ikeme out of #2018WCQs vs Algeria, S/Africa based Daniel Akpeyi is called up as his replacement #SoarSuperEagles. pic.twitter.com/rwb0dGe6bu
— Nigeria Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 2, 2016
Ikeme has made the Super Eagles goalkeeping department his own since making his debut against Tanzania in 2015.
However, former Nigeria goalie, Ike Shorunmu, insists the absence of the former Leicester City man won’t affect the Eagles in Uyo on November 12.
“It is very sad that the Super Eagles will miss Carl Ikeme considering the fact that he’s shown to be a dependable goalkeeper since the departure of Vincent Enyeama from the team,” Shorunmu told Soccernet.com.ng.
“Again, who would have thought that Nigeria would find a good goalie in Ikeme when Enyeama retired? The good thing about the Super Eagles is that we are always blessed with quality goalkeepers.
“However, if the injury to Ikeme is confirmed serious then we have no choice but to depend on Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu against Algeria. The truth is, Ikeme’s absence won’t stop the Super Eagles from beating the Desert Foxes in Uyo.”
