Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has once again canvassed for support for embattled Omonia Nicosia goalie Francis Uzoho npflupdates.com reports.
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According to Peseiro, Uzoho is a goalkeeper of high standard and that’s why he alongside other players keeps getting national invitation.
Uzoho and his Super Eagles teammates were heavily criticised by fans after a 2-2 draw with the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia during last Friday’s international friendly in Portimao.
However the 24-year-old shot-stopper was at the forefront of the criticism after howling a harmless free-kick into his own net in the second half of the game to gift Saudi Arabia the lead.
After the game Peseiro revealed that goalkeeper are no longer “comfortable” playing for Nigeria due to the incessant attacks from supporters.
“When I arrived here, I remember I was told to change the goalkeeper. I spoke with all of them, No one feels comfortable because everybody attacked them,” the Portuguese said.
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Again on Monday’s friendly against Mozambique, Uzoho miscalculated providing an avenue for the Mambas opener just six minutes into the game. At this point, fans took to various social media platforms to call for his exclusion from the national team.
But according to Peseiro, the standard for any player who’d be representing the Super Eagles will always be the “highest”. Higlighting that, all those players invited for the previous outing were if highest standard in their various categories.
What Peseiro said about Uzoho, other Super Eagles players standard
“After another period of training and matches, with the team and staff united, we have reinforced various aspects and identified mistakes to be corrected,” Peseiro said and was quoted by DailyTrust Nigeria.
“The standard for anyone representing the Super Eagles must always be the highest. The players’ effort was excellent and as a consequence we achieved the victory in a friendly game for the first time in almost 5 years.”
In a related development, Peseiro confessed warning his players against conceding up to two goals Inna match.
“Last time, I told them that conceding two goals against any team is bad, but today, we did the same. We created many chances, almost 13 shots, one-on-one situations, but we didn’t utilise them.
“We had many opportunities, and for that, I am not happy because we did not put as much concentration as we did against Saudi Arabia. We should have scored up to eight goals. We couldn’t cross well, we didn’t capitalise on our corners. For this, I am sad,” the former Sporting CP gaffer stated.
In another story, the former Saudi Arabia coach, disclosed the main reason why he took a pay-cut to remain as Super Eagles coach.
In his position, players of the national team had begged him to stay and help them win its fourth title in Ivory Coast.
Also read: Uzoho : Nigerians Dig Up Shocking Moment Goalie Criticised RCD La Coruna Teammates
“The players pushed me to stay because they believe we can win (the AFCON),” he told Sky Sports.
“We can win it. The players know it. They come with the same energy, the same belief, to fight for the Super Eagles.”
