Nwabali or Uzoho: Benin coach Gernot Rohr gives verdict on the better Super Eagles goalkeeper

The former Nigerian national team coach handed Francis Uzoho his international debut and made the youngster the first-choice at the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has revealed his favourite between Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali, Soccernet.ng reports.

Uzoho was Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper until the eve of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations when coach Jose Peseiro handed a surprise call-up to Chippa United shot-stopper Nwabali.

After impressing in a 2-0 friendly loss to Guinea earlier in January, Nwabali was installed as the Super Eagles’ new number one.

The 27-year-old goalie has been in goal for each of Nigeria’s three group matches at the AFCON, conceding once and keeping two clean sheets.

Apart from the clean sheet record, Nwabali has shown good ability with his hand and foot – a feature that has caught the attention of former Super Eagles coach, Rohr.

And Rohr, in a conversation with Osasu Obayiuwana, has confessed that Nwabali is better than Uzoho, backing Peseiro’s decision to make the South Africa-based shot-stopper as Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper.

“I have to say that Nwabali Bobo is better than Francis Uzoho,” Rohr said.

“He is calm and has very good control of his area.”

Barring any unfortunate injury, Nwabali will likely remain between the goalposts for Nigeria when the Super Eagles take on Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions in the last 16 of the AFCON.

Nigeria set up a date with the Cameroonians after finishing second in Group A behind Equatorial Guinea. 

Cameroon, on the other hand, needed a last-gasp winner against Gambia to book their spot as runners-up in Group C behind defending champions, Senegal.