Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa has admitted to www.aclsports.com that the prospect of attending his first ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Egypt this summer has been a major source of motivation for him in recent weeks.
Ezenwa who now plays for Katsina United in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) produced another man-of-the-match display on Wednesday when his side lost 1-0 against Rivers United in a rescheduled league game in Port Harcourt.
The 30-year old has represented Nigeria at the Under-20 World Cup, the Olympics, Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) and the senior World Cup but has never participated in any AFCON tournament.
“Playing in the Nations Cup is the only thing remaining to complete my career and make it a glorious one,” began Ezenwa to www.aclsports.com
“Now that it is coming close, it has been motivating me to remain focused and keep giving my best to make sure it is complete. We have good goalkeepers at this club (Katsina United) and I have to keep doing well to make sure I get good playing time.”
Wednesday’s performance by Ezenwa follows another glorious display which earned his side a 1-1 draw at Lobi Stars on Sunday and the Port Harcourt born goalkeeper says hardwork is paying off.
“I will attribute my good form to hardwork and of course God has been helping. Also, you cannot remove the motivation of doing well to show that my invitation to the national team is not a fluke. You know that very soon, I will be going to the camp now so it is important I keep doing well,” added Ezenwa.
No NPFL team have used more goalkeepers this season than Katsina United. They have paraded four goalkeepers (Daouda Kassaly, Yinka David, Danjuma Paul and Ezenwa) in their eight matches but the Beijing 2008 star has kept the highest number of matches – four.
Ezenwa will be hoping to retain his spot and continue his good form when his team travel to Kwara United next weekend (17th March) as the second stanza of the league commences.
