What Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper Said About Francis Uzoho
Former Nigeria goalkeeper, Etta Egbe, has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to conduct an eye test for Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, to assess his visibility.
Uzoho has been in poor form for the national team. The Omonoia FC goalkeeper manned the goalpost in the Eagles last two World Cup qualifier matches and conceded two goals, which some fans claim were due to goalkeeping errors.
“That is unforgivable. How can he concede a goal from that distance? They should organize an eye test for him,” Egbe said.
Etta Egbe wondered why Uzoho would concede a free kick from 35 yards. He also claimed Uzoho denied Nigeria a chance to play in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
During the World Cup qualifying match last year, Uzoho was in goal when Nigeria faced Ghana for a ticket to Qatar and fumbled at Thomas Partey’s shot, giving the Ghanaians the lead that day. Although the Eagles equalized in that match, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw, Nigeria was denied the chance to play in the tournament.
In the past, Nigeria’s national team has been blessed with many talented goalkeepers like Peter Rufai, Dele Aiyenugba, Vincent Enyema, and Carl Ikeme. However, there seems to be a struggle in that position recently. It appears the present crop of goalkeepers is yet to stake their claim as the country’s number 1, with Uzoho contending for a place in the goalpost with Maduka Okoye and Adebayo Adeleye.
Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, seems to prefer the Cyprus-based goalkeeper to guard the country’s goal post, and he is also a regular on the teamsheet.
Nigeria played to a 1-1 draw with both Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, November 16, 2023, and Sunday, November 19, 2023, respectively. As Nigeria plans to face The Bafana Bafana of South Africa in June 2024 in the next round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifiers, there is mounting pressure for the coach to drop Uzoho.
