Nigeria keep faith with Ejide
by George Akpayen 12 January 2013, 06:54
Nigeria have decided to keep goalkeeper Austin Ejide in their Afcon squad in spite of nursing a hamstring injury.
The team doctor of Nigeria's Super Eagles, Ibrahim Gyaran, is said to have pegged Ejide's return date at two weeks from Friday after an extra scan was performed on his thigh injury in Faro, Portugal.
Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi said Ejide would recover from his injury in time for the team's opening Africa Cup of Nations game against Burkina Faso.
But Keshi will not rush back the Hapoel Be’er Sheba keeper, who suffered the muscle tear in his thigh in Nigeria's 0-0 draw with Cape Verde in a pre-Afcon friendly on Wednesday.
Heartland goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi will also remain in the Nigerian pre-Afcon camp, according to Keshi.
“In fact, he should be ready for our opening group game against Burkina Faso on January 21,” said Keshi.
"However we are still keeping Daniel Akpeyi in camp to forestall any unforeseen circumstance.”
Ejide is said to have began his recovery therapy and team doctor, Gyaran is expected to give Keshi a progress report on the health of the former Gabros FC goalkeeper.
