Rohr: Akpeyi would not get automatic shirt

Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has made it clear that Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu, will all battle it out for the no. 1 shirt, ahead of the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria next week.


Akpeyi was called up, after Ikeme pulled out of the match with injury .

Speaking through the Team Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, Rohr also expressed his unhappiness over the absence of his first-choice keeper, Carl Ikeme.

He, however, insisted that Ikeme’s absence will not affect the goalkeeping department, as the back-ups are good enough to stand in for the Wolverhampton Wanderers stopper.

“Akpeyi would not get automatic shirt for the Algeria tie. He would fight for a place with the other two goalkeepers in the team. You should realize that the goalkeeping department is technical, so, we cannot afford to manage Ikeme for the qualifier,” Ibitoye said.

Speaking further, he added: “Rohr is not happy over the development, but there is nothing anybody can do at this moment.”

Ibitoye also confirmed that Rohr, will be watching the Federation Cup final between Nasarawa United and FC Ifeanyi Ubah at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, this weekend.