As reactions continue to pour in following the Super Eagles poor start to the 2026 world cup qualifiers, a lot of questions have been centered around the goalkeeping department of the team.
Nigeria drew 1-1 with Lesotho in Uyo and had a similar result against Zimbabwe away from home at the adopted home ground of the Warriors in Rwanda. The goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria Francis Uzoho was beaten from over 30 yards for the goal scored by the warriors .
It isn’t the first time that he has been found culpable for a goal conceded by the team and calls has been made for him to be dropped, but head coach Jose Peseiro who is under serious pressure has kepts his faith in the Omonia Nicosia man.
Former number one of the team Maduka Okoye returned to the team for the friendly games against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique respectively, but didn’t get to play with Uzoho preferred in both games.
He was called up for the games against Lesotho and Zimbabwe respectively but he didn’t turn up with Peseiro explaining that he has issues with his passport. A camp source differed and told OwnGoalNigeria.com that it wasn’t the real issue that kept him out.
According to our source, Okoye who was subjected to online abuses and threats skipped the game in Nigeria as he is afraid that he could be attacked by angry fans, who are still seething over the goal he conceded at the Africa Cup of Nations in the 0-1 defeat to Tunisia at the round of 16.
We gathered he is still yet to come to terms with the level of hatred and condemnation he received in the wake of the defeat, so bad that he isn’t mentally prepare to visit Nigeria or play a game in front of the home fans anytime soon.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
