Heartland goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was forced to withdraw from the Super Eagles squad to battle Mexico in an international friendly on July 4 after picking up an injury at the team’s training camp in Abuja.
The Super Eagles B team captain could not join the rest of his team members as they departed Abuja for Los Angeles – venue of the exhibition clash on Wednesday.
In his place, Tottenham’s U-23 goalkeeper Joshua Olayemi has been called up to the squad. His invitation means he’s the only foreign-based player in the team as the rest of the team plays their football in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Who is Joshua Olayemi?
Olayemi was born in England but to Nigerian parents, which makes him eligible for the three-time African Champions.
He came through the club’s Academy ranks, having played for the youth team and U18 side. Olayemi is currently Spurs U23 goalkeeper, although he had his first experience of senior football while on loan at National League side Maidenhead United between October 2020 and January 2021.
The 20-year-old conceded 18 goals and kept ten clean sheets in his 21 appearances for Spurs U18 side. He also has 17 appearances in the Premier League 2, conceding 21 times and keeping three clean sheets.
Olayemi has also represented England at the U-15 and U-16 levels.
Before now, the goalkeeper hinted that informal talks were in place regarding pledging his allegiance to Nigeria, following meeting between Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu and his dad.
He said: “I am surrounded by some Nigerian uncles coming around but I’ve never actually been to Nigeria. Definitely, there are plans to visit Nigeria with my parents.”
“I saw Kanu one time, he was at one of our games, he was talking to my dad, but not really like that.
“Definitely I’ll be looking at Nigeria but my options are open.”
