By Richard Jideaka, Abuja:
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is upbeat that young goalkeeper Francis Uzoho will come good at the World Cup in Russia as first choice, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
“I don’t think goalkeeping is the weak link in my team,” Rohr told CSN in Abuja.
“After we lost Carl Ikeme to sickness, we had what seemed like a goalkeeping crisis but Ikechukwu Ezenwa did well in the qualifiers but we kept looking for options.
“Francis Uzoho came as an option because to go to the World cup, you require two good goalkeepers and I must say he has done well in the three games he has played for the Super Eagles that I won’t be afraid to start him in our opening game against Croatia at the World Cup in Russia.
“Francis is good and tall, and he is ready to learn. He did well in the friendly games against Argentina and Poland with two clean sheets and conceded two goals against Serbia in his third game in which I experimented with some players and tactics.
“I don’t believe he will get stage fright playing against the likes of Messi and other big names in Russia, because after playing against the likes of Lewandowski of Poland, Aguero and Di Maria of Argentina, I am optimistic that he would rise to the occasion in Russia.”
Rohr pointed out that he was in Abuja for update from the Nigeria Football Federation general secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, on the preparation for the send-off game with Congo in Port Harcourt, adding that he has checked the pitch and has made his observations known and hopefully it will be ready on time for the game.
On his 35-man team list for the World cup, Rohr stated that he would submit the lost by May 4 to the NFF.
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Rohr: Uzoho Good Enough To Be Super Eagles No.1; Won’t Fear Messi, Others
