Super Eagles head coach Jose Peseiro has once again thrown his weights behind embattled goalkeeper Francis Uzoho npflupdates.com reports.
Also read:Â Peseiro : Nigerians Begged Me To Take A Pay-Cut So We Can Win AFCON
It’s less than ninety(90) days to the 2023 African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) tournament holding in Ivory Coast; and coach Peseiro is upbeat goalie Francis Uzoho can help Nigeria win it’s fourth AFCON title.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper, has come under serious criticism following his abysmal performances when in goal for Super Eagles. Last weekend in a friendly game against Saudi Arabia, Uzoho howled a harmless free-kick into his own net to gift the Asians the lead.
After the game, fans criticised the move and called for his immediate exclusion from the national team. But Peseiro defended his mistakes citing that goalkeepers are not comfortable playing for Nigeria.
“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,” Peseiro said.
“They could make mistakes, it is my responsibility. Next time I need to train him (Uzoho) better.”
Also read: Uzoho Has The Highest Standard, Hence His Invitation To Super Eagles – Peseiro
Also on Monday, the Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper, miscalculated in the sixth minute, providing a room for Mozambique forward Catamo to score. Fans of the Super Eagles went berserk and intensified efforts calling for his exclusion for the national team.
Shockingly, the former Golden Eaglets Shot-stopper, in what looked like a response to critics said in his Snapchat handle;
“If Easy, go do am, make Oyibo Man Sign you.”
Nigerians saw that comment as disrespectful, and has since suggested Noah Atubolu, Sebastian Osigwe, Tobias Lawal and Swede goalkeeper Jonathan Rasheed as possible replacement for the former Deportivo la Coruna goalkeeper.
But it seems the yearning of the people have been swept under the carpet by Peseiro who insisted that Uzoho remains his first choice.
What was said about Francis Uzoho
“A decision has been made already and Uzoho will be the first choice at the AFCON. It is something that is beyond his recent performances. Peseiro sees him as the best among the options we have and feels the recent blunders are related to a confidence crisis while in goal for Nigeria”, a team source told Owngoal com.
Also read:Â Nigerian Legend Joseph Dosu Expresses Shock Over Francis’ Controversial Statement
“Again when you consider that there won’t be space to try a new goalkeeper as from now till the AFCON, all games will be competitive because the World Cup qualifiers and the AFCON will happen between no and the start of next year. You have to agree with Peseiro that there is no urgent need for a new goalkeeper”, he concluded.
