Super Eagles head coach, Jose Vitor Peseiro, reaffirms confidence in goalkeeper Francis Uzoho despite a critical blunder that resulted in a draw against Saudi Arabia.
Peseiro, coaching the national team since May 2022, defended his choice of Uzoho during the recent friendlies, where Nigeria rallied to a 2-1 lead but was denied a victory due to a late-minute handling error by Uzoho.
The coach took responsibility for the goalkeeper’s mistake, expressing dissatisfaction with the consistent criticism faced by the team’s goalkeepers. Peseiro emphasized the need for fan support and vowed to enhance Uzoho’s training to address performance concerns.
I like all my players, when they make mistake, I take responsibility for it . I don’t know why in Nigeria they criticize the goalkeepers so much, When I arrived, there was much talk about the goalkeepers, a lot of people wanted me to change the goalkeepers. I spoke with all the goalkeepers, none of them feel comfortable because the fans always attack them.
The draw left Nigerian football enthusiasts disheartened, stirring discussions about the squad’s goalkeeping capabilities. Peseiro’s plea for understanding and the coach’s commitment to refining Uzoho’s skills have sparked debates among fans.
As the Super Eagles prepare to face Mozambique, the spotlight remains on Uzoho and Peseiro’s efforts to solidify the team’s performance. The draw against Saudi Arabia serves as a catalyst for introspection and improvement within the Nigerian football community.
