Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has said under-fire Francis Uzoho remains his No 1 goalkeeper despite the knocks he has received after his latest errors.
The Cyprus-based shot stopper, who was also No 1 for the country at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has come under heavy fire after his mistake gifted Saudi Arabia a draw and Mozambique score against the Eagles in friendlies last month.
Uzoho will be in goal for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe because he is the best goalkeeper said Peseiro.
“Uzoho was our goalkeeper in (AFCON) qualification,” Pesiero told reporters Wednesday in Uyo ahead of today’s clash against Lesotho.
“I believe in our goalkeepers and I believe in Uzoho also, but I accept other opinions, including that of the media.
“I know there is too much pressure over the choice of goalkeeper here.”
“Everybody knows he made a mistake against Saudi Arabia and I spoke to him and I tried to improve his mentality,” Peseiro continued.
“When a better goalkeeper than Uzoho can start the match, I will bring him on. I’m not stupid, I will play with the best players.
“I know we don’t understand the mistakes our goalkeeper makes and also the mistakes our strikers make too and this is normal in football.
“Sometimes our strikers lose chances and our midfielders make the wrong passes and sometimes our goalkeeper makes some mistakes.”
Super Eagles stand-in captain Kenneth Omeruo also echoed the opinion of his coach that Uzoho is the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
