Francis Uzoho Replies Critics Of His Age

The AC Omonia goalkeeper was trolled for looking older than his age, and his performances have also been called into questioning

Super Eagles goalkeeper has fired back at those who are doubting his age and his ability as a goalkeeper. The former Elche goalkeeper made his international debut under Gernot Rohr in November 2017.

Uzoho was 19 as at the time he made his Super Eagles bow which was in an international friendly clash against Argentina in Russia.

But the former U-17 star was taunted by people for lying about his age, while his performances in the Super Eagles jersey have also been questioned.

The Nigerian national team does not have an undisputed No. 1, but Uzoho was in goal for the Super Eagles at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

However, he was dropped at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations after his performance in the build-up to the tournament received criticism.

Speaking in an Instagram Live interview with the Super Eagles account, Uzoho says he does not mind the criticism as long as it has to do with football, but when people accuse him of cheating, it is not fair.

“One cannot run away from critics these days with the way the internet is,” Uzoho said.

“When I am criticised, I will consider what is written, if the person is right I will take their opinion, if the person is wrong and talking for talking sake, I will just pass.”

“When I first started playing for the Super Eagles, I was crazy. People do not know me, so when they imagine things in their head and express it verbally, it’s their right I don’t really do social media, don’t do many interviews so maybe that fuels it.”

“I say I should try and do more, but I am afraid of it. When they wrote things about me, I was a boy, 18 years I didn’t know how to handle it, but some people helped me and showed me this is how social
media works.”

“Fair enough if people criticise me for football if I make a mistake “you cannot keep”, “you no sabi ball”, that is fair enough, but going outside of football is not right, but then again, I don’t mind them anymore.”

“I remember once I was at Elche, I was in a league match, we had lost 5-1, with the 4th goal I broke my ribs and was in pain, coming back from the hospital I was in pain, and I fired back on Instagram. I could not take it; it went to my head, and I responded.”