When former Super Eagles captain and coach Sunday Oliseh sought to cap Carl Ikeme the original plan was for him to be back up to AFCON winner Vincent Enyeama.

A flurry of events completely beyond the control of many meant that the Wolves keeper made his debut for Nigeria in the qualifier away in Tanzania. At the final whistle of the goalless draw the debutant was unanimously praised as Nigeria’s Man of the Match.

Carl Ikeme

“I knew two days before the match that I was going to start. Yes it was an international and my debut but it was a football match so I prepared and focused the way I normally do”. Ikeme said exclusively to supersport.com inside the Molineux stadium of his club. “The singing on the coach going to the match also helped. I had never experienced anything like this before” Ikeme says laughing. “If these guys can sing then surely there’s nothing to be worried about”.

Algeria can call on (Abdil) Slimani, (Ryadh) Mahrez, (Sofiane) Ferghouli and others I say “and we can call on Iheanacho, Iwobi, Ideye, Mikel, Musa..” the Big Keeper said. “Listen, Algeria have one of the best teams in the continent but we have a very good team too and we are capable of beating anyone,”he stressed.  Ikeme is very focused on Russia 2018 World Cup especially after missing out on next year’s AFCON – Nigeria’s second successive miss. “The game in Zambia brought home how huge these sets of matches are. We all want to make it to the World Cup and for me with my age it might be my most realistic chance of playing at the World Cup.