Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was the star of the night as Omonia Nicosia were done by an extra-time goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Europa League.
United were playing hosts to Nicosia, with Erik ten Hag picking a largely full-strength team against opposition they would have been expected to beat easily.
With Brazilian stopper Fabiano injured for the Cypriots, Neil Lennon brought in Nigeria international Uzoho who performed heroics at the Theatre of Dreams.
Making just his third appearance of the season, the 23-year-old was a constant thorn in Erik ten Hag’s side.
The hosts were dominant for most of the half but failed to find a way past Uzoho as the Nigerian goalkeeper was in imperious form, while his saves kept out a long-range effort from Casemiro, which would have been the midfielder’s first for the club, was the highlight of the first half performance.
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But two minutes into stoppage time, United eventually scored, Scott McTominay tabbed home from close range for his first goal in 10 months to spare United’s blushes.
However, Uzoho, who has had a torrid time recently with the Super Eagles with fans blaming him for his performance in a recent friendly against the Fennec Foxes of Algeria and Nigeria’s failed bid to the 2022 World Cup, gained many admirers, with some comparing him with United great Peter Schmeichel and Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon.
“Prime Buffon, Schmeichel, etc rolled into one tonight,” one fan exclaimed, comparing the 23-year-old to some of the best keepers in football history.
“Audition for De Gea job,” another fan said, with the Spanish goalkeeper’s potential replacement having been recently pointed out by United fans.
Another added, “Uzoho turns prime Manuel Neuer playing against his boyhood club at Old Trafford. Rashford has tried everything against him – good saves every time from the Nigerian goalkeeper.”