Is Super Eagles Goalie Francis Uzoho Losing No.1 Spot Under Peseiro?

Is Super Eagles Goalie Francis Uzoho Losing No.1 Spot Under Peseiro? 

By Gbenga Gboyega

Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Odinaka Uzoho may be losing his place as the first choice for Jose Peseiro with the emergence of new-breed goalkeepers taking center stage for the Nigeria National team recently, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Super Eagles will face Sao Tome & Principe in their sixth AFCON qualifying game after sealing a ticket to the 2023 edition in January 2024 hosted by Cote d'Ivoire with a game to spare from the previous five games in Group A.

However, the goal-keeping department continues to be a cause for concern for the 3-time African champions who last clinched the title a decade ago under Stephen Keshi.

At the time, the Super Eagles were featuring for the 16th time in the AFCON, with the impeccable Vincent Enyeama between the sticks, who helped the team clinch their third title unbeaten while conceding just four goals through the 2013 edition in South Africa.

The next time Nigeria would feature on the continental stage would be three editions after in Egypt, under the tutelage of Genort Rohr as head coach, with home-based Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi representing the team in goal.

Nigeria conceded 7 goals altogether in 7 games played on the way to a bronze-place finish, with five of those coming in the knockout rounds, a stark contrast to the 2013 edition under Keshi with Enyeama in goal.

For 2022-23, the Super Eagles under Peseiro are yet to establish a first-choice goalkeeper with the likes of FC Omonia's Francis Uzoho, Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars, Nathaniel Nwosu, and Hapoel Jerusalem's Adebayo Adeleye, all featuring under the Jose Peseiro era within a year. 

The latest to be added is Adebayo Adeleye who turned 23 in May this year, churning out an impressive performance on his debut against Sierra Leone in June, to further compound the head coach's selection headache.

Despite Francis Uzoho staying in goal in the first four games during the AFCON qualification series, recent call-ups to the team, including NPL duo Victor Sochima of Rivers United and Olorunleke Ojo of Enyimba, are settling in as the new breed of goalkeeping selection.

Posting on his social media page on Tuesday afternoon, the 24-year-old attached a picture of himself training with his club Omonia in anticipation of the 2023-24 season, while setting his sight on regaining match fitness and first-team spot.

"Every week is an opportunity to achieve something new, to be better, and to be fulfilled," Uzoho posted.

Uzoho opens his Cypriot Cyta Championship campaign with FC Omonia on the 19th of August while kickstarting his Europa Conference League Qualification duties tomorrow (10th August 2023).