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Tag: Francis Uzoho

  • AFCON 2025: Uzoho, Awaziem  crave team’s unity  as  Super Eagles tackle Taifa Stars

    AFCON 2025: Uzoho, Awaziem  crave team’s unity  as  Super Eagles tackle Taifa Stars

    Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has reaffirmed his commitment to unity and collective success, pledging full support for Stanley Nwabali if he is selected to start Nigeria’s next Group match against Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Nigeria face the Taifa Stars with competition still keen for the number one jersey, but Uzoho, who recently returned to the squad after nearly a year away, insisted that personal ambition will never override the team’s objectives. The Cyprus-based shot-stopper praised the spirit within the camp, noting that backing whoever gets the nod is key to success.

    Read Also: Bafana Bafana beat Angola 2-1 as Foster claims match-winning goal

    “When Nwabali was chosen to be first choice, I had to support him. That is what I will do if he’s still the one that will play,” Uzoho told Elegbete TV, underlining the togetherness driving the Super Eagles’ AFCON campaign.

    In the same vein, defender Chidozie Awaziem has also put the team first, declaring his readiness to play in any position for Nigeria at the continental showpiece in Morocco. Known for his versatility, the former FC Porto man has featured across the backline for both club and country.

    Awaziem explained that his deployment will depend on the coach’s tactical demands, stressing that his duty is to give his best wherever he is needed. “If the coach wants me to be a goalkeeper, I’m ready. If he wants me to be a striker, I’m ready,” he said with confidence.

    While admitting that his preferred role remains at centre-back, Awaziem maintained that he is fully prepared to adapt for the good of the team. As the Super Eagles intensify preparations, the messages from Uzoho and Awaziem reflect a squad united in purpose as Nigeria chase continental glory at AFCON 2025.

  • AFCON 2025: Recalled Uzoho declares readiness for  Super Eagles

    AFCON 2025: Recalled Uzoho declares readiness for  Super Eagles

    Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has expressed his readiness to give his best for Nigeria ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

    The Cyprus-based shot-stopper, who recently earned a recall to the national team following consistent performances for Omonia Nicosia, admitted he missed the bond and atmosphere within the Super Eagles camp during his absence.

    Read Also: Discovery Cup: Ojodu City clinches victory as tournament uncovers Nigerian talents for European football

    Speaking on his return, Uzoho described the opportunity to represent Nigeria again as a privilege, revealing that his recall brought him immense joy and relief after spending over a year outside the national setup.

    He also expressed confidence in the technical crew and scouting department, insisting that only players deemed ready and capable are invited to the national team.

    The former AFCON silver medallist concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the country, stressing that he remains prepared whenever his services are required.

  • Uzoho: I’ll bounce back this season

    NIGERIA international goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is hoping for a positive return to Cyprus when he starts a loan spell with Omonia Nicosia from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.

    The 20-year-old endured a torrid time earlier this year after a loan spell at Cypriot rivals Anorthosis Famagusta was cut short due to irregularities in his registration.

    On the pitch, it was also difficult after he was sent off for the first time in his career in April.

    A lack of top-flight football cost him his place as Nigeria’s first-choice keeper ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, becoming the third choice behind Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

    “I learned a lot from last season’s experience. Hopefully, it will serve as a motivation to do well,” Uzoho, who joins Omonia on a season-long loan, told BBC Sport.

    Read Also: AFCON 2019: Eagles will be ready for Bafana, says Uzoho

    “I can say last season is in the past now and I hope to write a good chapter with Omonia by God’s grace and hard work.

    “To move forward you can’t keep looking back, so I just want to remain focused on what lies ahead.”

    Capped 14 times by Nigeria, he played all three matches as the Super Eagles exited the 2018 World Cup in the group stage.

    But he made a solitary appearance at the just-concluded Nation Cup against Tunisia as the Super Eagles sealed a third-place finish in Egypt.

    “I was very happy to play for my county at the Nations Cup and to be able to do that in a match that got us a medal was incredible,” added Uzoho.

    “I’ve started pre-season with the club on a positive note and I feel good about it. I just hope to kick off with positivity and help Omonia Nicosia achieve the club’s target this season.”

    In October 2017, Uzoho became the youngest foreign goalkeeper to ever play in La Liga and marked a memorable Deportivo La Coruna debut with a clean sheet.

    Uzoho was part of the victorious Nigeria squad at the 2013 Under-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, albeit without playing a single minute at the tournament.

    He arrived at Deportivo from Qatar’s Aspire Academy in January 2017.

  • Facts as Musa, Uzoho Make World Cup Records

    FT: Nigeria 2-0 Iceland

    Ahmed Musa has now become Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in World Cup games with four goals.
    And Francis Uzoho, 19-years old,  has also emerged the youngest keeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup match

    Stats, stats, stats

    • All six of Nigeria’s wins at the World Cup have come against European opposition, and they have kept a clean sheet in five of those six victories.

    • This was Iceland’s first ever defeat in a group stage match at a major international tournament (Euros and World Cup), having previously drawn three and won one of four such games.

    • Nigerian attacker Ahmed Musa is now his country’s all-time top scorer in World Cup games with four goals. Only Asamoah Gyan (6 goals for Ghana) and Roger Milla (5 for Cameroon) have scored more for an African nation.

    • Nigeria’s Francis Uzoho is the second youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in a World Cup match (19 years, 237 days), behind only Li Chan-Myong in North Korea’s 1-0 win over Italy in July 1966 (19 years, 198 days).

  • Fans raise alarm over Uzoho, Super Eagles’ defence performance

    Football fans in Ebonyi have raised alarm over the performances of Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, and the entire backline as the team prepares for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

    The fans were reacting to the Super Eagles’ 0-1 loss to the Czech Republic national team in an international friendly in Austria on Wednesday in Abalkaliki.

    Benjamin Umeh, Goalkeeper Trainer of the defunct Nitel Vasco Dagama FC of Enugu, noted that Uzoho was culpable in the lone goal scored by the Czech Republic in the first half of the encounter.

    “Uzoho should have held the ball instead of parrying it to an opponent as he has proved vulnerable to dead ball situations in his previous Eagles appearances.

    “The Eagles defence should realise that its opponents in the friendly matches are mince meats compared to more competitive opponents it would meet in the World Cup,” he said.

    Harrison Obasi, Coach of Ebonyi FA Cup Runners Up, Alter Nite FC, noted that Nigerians should not be alarmed if Uzoho falters at the World Cup in Russia.

    “Ikechukwu Ezenwa bailed the country during the qualifiers when all goalkeeping hopes were lost following Daniel Akpeyi’s erratic performances against South Africa in the AFCON 2019 qualifiers.

    “Ezenwa performed creditably in subsequent World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria and it is still a puzzle how Rohr preferred Uzoho to him,” he said.

    Supporting Obasi’s assertion, Chima Ojigwe, a soccer Historian, said that with the goalkeeping predicament, Nigeria found itself during the World Cup qualifiers, Ezenwa could had been the best bet for the team.

    “Uzoho was drafted into the team after the qualifiers and if experience becomes the determining factor between him and Ezenwa, the latter who was in goal during the qualifiers, could have been the better bet.

    “It is instructive to note that countries which have excelled in the World Cup opt for experienced goalkeepers as exemplified with Egypt which recalled veteran Essam El-Hadary and Germany, which worked towards Manuel Neuer’s fitness,” he said.

    Ojeikere Aikhoje, Chief Executive Officer of Match Room Sports and Media Ltd, however, urged Nigerians to accept the fact that Rohr had accepted Uzoho, as his first choice goalkeeper.

    “Rohrs body language suggests that he intends to use Uzoho as his first choice in goal by fielding him in all the friendly matches from the Poland game to that of Czech Republic.

    “My concern is that he should have tested Ezenwa in the friendly matches but as the coach, he knows the reasons for opting for Uzoho instead of Ezenwa and other keepers,” he said.

    Miss Chinelo Akpa, a Youth Activist, however, urged Nigerians to pray for the Eagles instead of blaming their poor performances in the friendly matches to certain players in the squad.

    The defence has not lived up to expectations but the entire team should take responsibility for the team’s not-too-impressive performances.

    “We should instead pray for the team to imbibe the lessons of the friendly games and give Nigerians, a credible World Cup performance that they desire,” he said. (NAN)

  • Uzoho Not Rohr’s Anointed Goalkeeper – Alloy Agu

    Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu has dismissed reports suggesting that Francis Uzoho is the anointed first choice keeper for the World Cup.

     “The competition among the four goalkeepers is stiff and it is bringing the best out of them, “Agu spoke on radio.

    The Super Eagles Assistant Coach revealed that the four keepers’ will feature in the friendly matches against Congo DR in Port Harcourt on Monday (Today) and the Three Lions of England at Wembley on June 2nd.

    Meanwhile, Eagle German tactician has listed 20 players with three spots left for him to complete his final 23-man list for the World Cup which commence on June 14.

    The 64-year old is expected to make his mind on who will start in goal-post after Today’s formative match against The Leopards and The Three Lions on Saturday and the two assistant goalkeepers.

    Eagles versus Congo match is expected to kick off by 6:00pm at the Adokiye Aimesimaka Stadium.  

  • Congo DR Friendly: Uzoho, Etebo, Akpeyi hit Eagles Camp

    NationSport can report that the trio of Francis Uzoho, Oghenekaro Etebo and Daniel Akpeyi have reported to the Super Eagles World Cup camp in Uyo.

    With their arrival, the number of players have risen to 18 presently in camp.

    Etebo who plays for Las Palmas in Spain arrived the Le Meridien hotel at 5pm while the team was getting ready to hit the Godswill Akpabio Stadium to cheer the Super Eagles Team B against Atletico Friendly.

    Uzoho was also at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium along with other players to watch the match

    Others who watched the match alongside head coach Gernot Rohr were Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Junior Lokosa, Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ogenyi Onazi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa. Sportinglife.ng gathered that Ahmed Musa and Shehu Abdullahi who have been in Kano should join their colleagues tonight.

    The team will commence training Wednesday.