CHAN 2018: What Coach Aloy Agu Told Me Before I Replaced Ezenwa  – Ajiboye

FRANCIS ACHI/Marakkesh, Morocco

At a time so early in the game when Ikechukwu Ezenwa was injured in the match against Sudan and millions of football loving Nigerians became very apprehensive. Dele Ajiboye came in as a replacement and his performance calmed the nerves of Nigerians as the Super Eagles defeated Sudan 1-0 to book a place in the final of the ongoing CHAN 2018 against Morocco , the host nation.

Speaking exclusively to PM EXPRESS in Marrakesh, the Plateau United shot stopper revealed the secret behind his wonderful display of goalkeeping artistry that denied the Sudanese the equaliser despite the fact that the Super Eagles played with a man down for the better part of the second half when Ifeanyi Ifeanyi was showed the exit door for a second bookable offence.

According to Ajiboye, he never expected Ezenwa to be injured in the game. He said, “sadly when it happened and he could not continue, I was asked to start warming up and I eventually came into the game to have my first feel of the tournament as a goalkeeper. But before I entered, Coach Aloy Agu told me that I should calm down because anyone of the goalkeepers can be called upon at any game to be in goal and there lied my own opportunity”

“Anytime we were training , Coach Aloy Agu normally tells us (the goalkeepers) that we should work very hard and be ready at anytime for the day anyone of us can be called upon for duty in goal for the team”

“In the game against Sudan, I never knew that there would be injury to Ikechukwu Ezenwa. We  don’t pray for injury, but it is the sad part of our profession. So, when Ezenwa’s injury appeared to be very serious, I was asked to start warming up and I was about to enter to replace Ezenwa. Coach Aloy Agu said to me that, Dele you are also a very good goalkeeper, this is your chance to tell the world about your qualities.

” Therefore,  go in and ensure victory for Nigeria. These words really encouraged me and I was very confident, ” he said.

The game was very tensed and difficult as the Sudanese side pressured for equaliser and the goalkeeper revealed that he was very confident that the Super Eagles will emerge victorious despite some injuries to some players and they were managing go continue. But he doubted when Ifeanyi Ifeanyi got a red card early in the second half.

” I was confident that the team would win . We were under pressure. Some players were injured and were only managing to continue, but I was a bit nervous and doubtful when Ifeanyi Ifeanyi got a red card in the second half.

” I then talked to Kalu Orji to tell the other players not to worry and that we should continue playing our normal game and at the end of the 90 minutes , Nigeria won the game,” he said.

Nigeria will trade tackles against Morocco, the host nation at Grand stade  at Casablanca on Sunday.