Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, wants has thrown his weights behind embattled goalkeeper Francis Uzoho as the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) draws near, npflupdates.com reports.
Uzoho after helping Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets (U-17) win the 2015 FIFA U-17 world cup tournament, was integrated into the Super Eagles setup by Rohr, when he was still manager of the national team.
Uzoho would participate in his first major tournament (a FIFA world cup tournament in Russia) as a Super Eagles player under the tutelage of Rohr.
And following the dismissal of Rohr, the 25-year-old fell was relegated to the second choice position. Thanks to a ligament injury he sustained in a friendly game against Brazil, and also the emergence of Maduka Okoye.
However, the former Deportivo la Coruna goalkeeper was reinstated as first choice, after Maduka Okoye’s error led to Tunisia’s goal at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon. And ever since then the former APOEL Nicosia shot-stopper, hasn’t been consistent.
His recent poor form made most Super Eagles supporters to canvas for his exclusion from the national team. And that propelled coach José Peseiro to bring Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabili into the fray.
What Gernot Rohr said about the Super Eagles’ Francis Uzoho
But Rohr, in a recent with a former BBC reporter Osasu Obayiuwana remained upbeat that Uzoho can get the AFCON job done.
“Uzoho can do the job,” Rohr said when asked about the goalkeeping issue in the Eagles.
Also, when asked if he has confidence in him due to the fact that most Nigerians don’t, the Franco-German coach replied; ”I don’t know if there is a better one.”
Speaking further, the Benin Republic national team coach, admitted that Super Eagles is one of the favourites to win the AFCON.
Also read: Enyeama : I Will Be In Super Eagles 2023 AFCON Camp
”Nigeria is one of the favourites, of course. I saw the list. So many great players and [with] experience.
“I think the team lacks balance – top level strikers, but lacking the same quality of midfielders, especially defensive midfield”
