Nigeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme says he is
excited to play with Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi and CSKA Moscow
attacker Ahmed Musa for the Super Eagles.
The 29-year-old has cemented his place
as Nigeria’s first-choice since he made his international debut for the
Eagles in their goalless draw against Tanzania in their 2017 Africa
Cup of Nations qualifier on September 5. He is expected to start between
the sticks for Nigeria in their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against
Swaziland in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
Ikeme, who plays second fiddle to
on-loan Arsenal young Argentine keepr Emiliano Martinez at Wolverhampton
Wanderers, says he is enjoying his football in the Eagles and has
credited Mikel and Musa, saying their presence gives him confidence.
The England-born keeper insists he has
no regrets switching his international allegiance to Nigeria, saying it
makes his family proud.
“We’ve got some top talents in the team
and when you’re playing with Mikel and Musa it gives you a bit of
confidence to say you can play on the same team with these people and
you belong at the level. It gives you another goal as well to want to be
a part of the next (squad),” Ikeme told FIFA.com on Monday.
He added, “I’ve always been really close
with the Nigerian side of my family. I always felt Nigerian. If anybody
asked me I’d tell them my parents are from Nigeria, but I suppose being
part of the squad and going to Nigeria hopefully more in the future
will give me more sense of the culture.
“It’s difficult to be involved deep in
the culture when you’re brought up in England, but going back to Nigeria
a lot more will bring me a lot closer to that, and I’m looking forward
to spending more time in Nigeria.
“I actually prefer to play international
games in Nigeria than in Europe. You just get a better sense of the
atmosphere and the people.”
Although Ikeme doffs his hat to veteran
keeper Vincent Enyeama, he maintains he won’t attempt to emulate the
Lille custodian, who called it quits with the national team last month.
He said, “I was always aware that
Vincent’s been the No.1, captain and been an unbelievable goalkeeper for
Nigeria, probably one of the best African keepers to ever play the
game. I don’t really want to try and emulate someone else. I want to do
it my own way and be the best I can be. I know people always want to
compare goalkeepers to each other, but I’m just trying to concentrate on
what I do and do the best for Nigeria.”
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