Ikeme set for Super Eagles debut

Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, is one of the surprise call-ups to the Super Eagles team by Coach Sunday Oliseh. “An email arrived at the club and the manager, Kenny Jacket, asked me what he should do.”
Ikeme said in an interview in London that: “I thought it was a joke by one of my team mates so I called the number in the email and spoke to Coach Sunday Oliseh.”
At 29, this has indeed come as a surprise to the long serving Wolves keeper. “Some years in the past, it did cross my mind (International caps/career) but as I never heard anything, I forgot about it or at least not think about it.”
He was nevertheless surprised at the call-up and intends to enjoy it all. “At my age, I am in a better position to enjoy this call up. I am looking forward greatly to meeting up with the best Nigerian players available. I am aware of how important the national team is to Nigerians, so it will be great sampling the atmosphere.”
Goalkeepers traditionally get better with age so it seems Ikeme is following the same route. “Now, my concentration is better and I am more relaxed during matches. My season will be made getting promoted with Wolves and then, winning caps with Nigeria will just be great – absolutely fantastic to be honest,” says the soft spoken giant of a goalkeeper.
Ikeme speaks so quietly it is a mystery how he shouts while in goal. “Oh! In goal, the shouting and speaking to my back four is normal. I have found that the more I talk, the less I have to do in goal”.
Ikeme’s dad is from Onitsha, Anambra State. “My dad and grandfather came over to Birmingham when my dad was 16.” You know that makes you Igbo? “Oh yes. I am a proper Igbo boy” he says. “I have visited Nigeria many times but never in the capacity of Nigerian player. My dad is already going to be in Nigeria for the Niger match in Port Harcourt and I am certain many of my family members in Nigeria will attend.”