Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Joe
Former
Nigeria goalkeeper, Joe Erico, has said Nigeria can beat Tanzania when
the two sides meet on Saturday in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
qualifying match in Dar es Salaam without the team’s captain, Vincent
Enyeama.
Erico says Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh
has capable replacements in Wolves’ Carl Ikeme, Sunshine Stars’
Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Enyimba’s Femi Thomas.
Enyeama excused himself to attend to family issues.
Erico said, “When I came into the
national team, I was playing for an unknown side before I proved myself.
Ezenwa and Thomas play in the domestic league and Ikeme plays outside.
“For those of us at home, we have seen them in action once or twice and I believe they can prove their mettle in the team.
“The
coach knows their abilities and he will give them their chances to
prove themselves. They will be able to challenge Enyeama for a starting
role in later matches.”
The former NEPA Lagos manager added,
“There is nothing wrong with his (Enyeama) absence from the team,
because he knows his level of fitness. Fitness could be psychological
and not only physical because there is a saying in football that a fit
novice is better than an unfit superstar.
“Enyeama has made a good decision and I
believe this is an advantage for the Eagles because he could have
managed to come and be distracted with the problem he is facing.
“No one knows the extent of the problem
and the damage it could have caused, but he who knows where the shoes
pinch has decided to leave the Tanzania match to focus on it. It is a
good step because the team cannot afford to have a distracted player on
the pitch.”
Meanwhile, CSKA Moscow star Ahmed Musa has promised to captain Nigeria to victory against Tanzania on Saturday.
He will captain the country in Dar es Salaam in the absence of Enyeama
“I think I am not under pressure to lead
the team. I did it before in South Africa and by the grace of God we
will return with victory,” Ahmed told AfricanFootball.com.
“We watched Tanzania’s game on Tuesday and we know how they play.
“We don’t have to under rate any country in Africa and we will just go there and do our best.”
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