Super Eagles’ safe hands, Francis Uzoho, has sent a passionate and strong message to Nigerians after the team won bronze at the 2019 African Cup Nations; assuring them that he will go nowhere, rather that he will make them proud.
This is coming on the heels of ambivalent reactions to his bench role in the tournament. Uzoho was on loan at Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus prior the Cup of Nations but hardly saw game time, which was one of the reasons Coach Gernot Rohr opted for Daniel Akpeyi as first choice goalkeeper. However, Akpeyi, who played games for Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa did not cover himself in as many believe he was the villain o the piece in Mahrez’ last minute goal in the semi-final match against Algeria.
In line with his rotational policy, Coach Gernot Rohr gave Uzoho a chance to be in goal against Tunisia in the third-place game and Uzoho got Nigerians talking with his firm grip on the ball, aerial presence, ability to organize his defence and his presence in the box; this raised debates within the Nigerian football space. http://www.bellsnews.com/sports/governor-ikpeazu-rewards-chukwueze-with-cash/
Uzoho reacted to the reactions this way ” A little message to my Naija people, I’m not going anywhere, I’ll only get better”. He said many people have been sending him unprintable private messages but he responded ” tighten your seatbelts because it’s going to be a long ride. I assure you I will make you proud”.
To show that he is unfazed by the criticisms, he said ” I won’t count all your hurtful words now”.
Francis Uzoho is young, he will be an asset to the Super Eagles only if he gets playing time in Europe, thereby making the no.1 position in the Eagles his own. It is left to be seen if there will be a goalkeeper from the NPFL who can step into the national team and solve the goalkeeping problems in the team.