Wrong.
It was totally different from what he was used to. Ikeme got called up by Sunday Oliseh in his first game in charge of the Super Eagles. The 29 year old was happy. It wasn’t his first call up but it would be the first time he would actually link up with the Nigerian national side.
Ikeme was invited by erstwhile Super Eagles coach Berti Vogts in 2007 but couldn’t honor the call because of injury.
“I got invited into the squad and got injured before the squad was due to meet up, so I couldn’t join up. So it was unfortunate I didn’t get to get started a bit earlier,”Ikeme told Fifa.com “ I suppose everything happens for a reason though, so it was probably my time to come in when I did.
The Super Eagles, his first taste of international football, was very different from the cold and windy conditions he was used to in England where he has played his entire career.
The humidity was there, coupled with the unusual rituals in the team and then there was the added pressure of getting along with other players in the national team as well as trying to impress the coaches.
“It’s definitely different. There’s a lot more singing and dancing, especially on the way to the game. Everyone’s singing on the bus.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate