Rohr’s keepers Nigeria’s best ―Ike

Former Super Eagles number one goalkeeper, Ike Shorunnmu, has thrown his weight behind the goalkeepers selected for the team ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup by head coach Gernot Rohr.

Rohr has named Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi as the three goalkeepers for the Super Eagles squad to the FIFA World Cup which gets underway later this month.

Speaking exclusively to Tribunesport, the former Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan goalkeeper said the three goalkeepers were the best the country could get now, adding that they should be encouraged.

According to Shorunmu, “they will have to start from somewhere and need our support for them to believe they can do it. But if we decide to start condemning them, they will not have believe in themselves.

“Nigerians should encourage them. For me, I have no problem with them as our choice goalkeepers,” he said.

Shorunmu recounted his 2002 World Cup experience. “During the 2002 World Cup, coach [Adegboye] Onigbinde introduced Vincent [Enyeama] in the match against England. He just called us as we were going for the pre-match warm up and said there would be changes in today’s line up.There and then,I was out so also Taribo [West].” “Immediately I went to Vincent and told him to go in there and perform his magic as I also wished him the very best of luck, though in the first ten minutes, he was jittery, he later made some saves and he kept a clean slate for us.

“Ever since, he remained our number one goalkeeper, but if he was not given the chance, he would not have been known today. And see all that he did for the country at various competitions. So it’s on this premise that I want all of us to support these young lads as they represent us in Russia,” the former Stationery Stores goalkeeper said.