Following his assured performance in the team’s third-place win over Tunisia last night, Super Eagles manager Gernot has revealed why Francis Uzoho did not get more game time at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Uzoho was Nigeria’s number one at the World Cup in Russia last year but has lost his position since. The former Elche goalkeeper lost out to Ikechukwu Ezenwa during the Nations Cup qualifiers, while Daniel Akpeyi was chosen as the team’s first choice goalkeeper in Egypt.
However, Akpeyi’s performance was criticized throughout the tournament with many saying he is too error-prone, and he does not display confidence.
Many felt Francis Uzoho should have been the team’s number one at the competition, but Rohr revealed he decided against that because Uzoho did not have enough game time at his club.
Speaking after watching the 19-year-old keep a clean sheet in Super Eagles victory over the Carthage Eagles, the former Gabon manager said praised the performance of the former Deportivo B goalkeeper.
“We also saw our third-choice goalkeeper today and he did well. The only problem he had was he didn’t get game time for his club.”
Nigeria maintained their unbeaten record in AFCON third-place matches by beating Tunisia to win a record extending seventh bronze medal.