IKENWA NNABUOGOR sees some hope that the Super Eagles goalkeeping crisis is now in the past going by Francis Uzoho’s breathtaking performance at Old Trafford Thursday night…
The Super Eagles goalkeeping crisis may have been forced into the archives with the impressive performances of Francis Uzoho in goal for his Cypriot side Omonnia Nicosia as he kept out everything thrown at him by Manchester United in a UEFA Europa League tie last night at Old Trafford, before the hosts managed a lucky, stoppage time strike.
All was certainly not great with the former schoolboy international before the Group D matchday 4 cracker as he was consigned to the bench and was only available by a default after first-choice Fabiano picked up a shoulder injury in Omonnia’s penultimate league game against AEL Larnaka.
Uzoho wasn’t even on the bench at AEL to make his Old Trafford chance the more surprising.
The former Deportivo La Coruna upstart will go on to live his Old Trafford dreams, emerging the hero with a well- deserved Man of the Match award despite a late, late Scott McTominay dent.
Beaming with smiles and exchanging hearty pleasantries and a warm hug with the opposite number back in the tunnel as both teams prepared to make their way on to the fabled pitch, Uzoho was prepared for anything and the result is what the media are feeding on with the colourful adjectives all in praise of the Nigerian.
Uzoho had done nothing spectacular for both club and country to suggest he would frustrate a club he has supported as a boy and now led by the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo as he covered his goal line with his massive frame and left no loophole to be exploited.
Such was the mystery behind Uzoho’s heroics that have left watchers in awe, believing he may have been underrated after all as his Omonia no-show lingered into his Old Trafford show stopper.
The critics are not armchair after all as Uzoho has got very little cheer to return as his club and country records have attracted more criticisms than accolades going into the Manchester United game.
Back in the Super Eagles, Uzoho was roundly criticised for being one of the major reasons Eagles’ wings were clipped enroute to Qatar for letting in a tame Thomas Partey effort for bitter rivals Ghana to hoist their flag in Qatar.
But in hindsight, Uzoho may well be excused for the Abuja debacle as he had very little to give from his club harvest as he had only featured in two Cup games and a rare league appearance to underline his game rustiness and lack of competitive edge ahead of that crucial World Cup play-off game.
Uzoho had a lot to prove as his Brazilian rival Fabiano “gifted” him that golden chance to haul himself back in the game and he couldn’t have chosen a tougher opposition than Manchester United on their hallowed Old Trafford pitch.
An ardent Manchester United fan he has been right from his childhood days, Uzoho had all to play for and he didn’t disappoint as his 12 saves on a cold night in Manchester hogged the headlines of ever critical British press, making his heroics an unforgettable experience that will live with him for the rest of his life.
Substitute McTominay helped save manager Erik ten Hag and Old Trafford faithful blushes as the tensed tie would have ended Manchester United 0 Francis Uzoho 0.
Brazilian new signing Antony was sacrificed as the game wore on as Uzoho continued to deny the hosts, whose intensity for the opening goal also witnessed more substitutions which eventually paid off just three minutes into added time with McTominay breaking Manchester United duck for the crucial three points.
With Uzoho’s head held high as they returned to Nicosia, a lot is expected to change in the goalkeeping line of the Cypriot side as manager Neil Lennon will be expected to keep his brand-new safe pair of gloves and could be looking beyond the 34-year-old Fabiano when the latter returns from injury.
Uzoho had only played a game in all competitions for his Cypriot side this season prior to the impressive Manchester United game, but could be automatic number one choice for Lennon’s side going forward as Fabiano is still on the treatment table.
That will be sweet music to the ears of Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro, whose job is currently threatened by the seemingly lack of quality between the sticks for his team.
Peseiro has not been presented with so much assurance in that department since he arrived shortly after the Abuja disaster of March 29 and will be basking in renewed hope by the Uzoho show at Old Trafford.
Peseiro has refused to take his eyes off Uzoho despite his lack of competitiveness and has only managed minimal success as his time with the team has yet to record any meaningful results.
Uzoho’s quick change in club fortunes will surely sound lyrical in Peseiro’s ears as well as the millions of Eagles faithful as they are yet to behold a worthy replacement for Vincent Enyeama.
They were beginning to settle scores with Enyeama’s beautiful ghosts when Carl Ikeme quickly warmed into their hearts, but sadly Leukemia put an end to his Eagles’ sweet dreams and hauled the fans back in their previous state post-Enyeama.
Uzoho has not failed to show the huge potential Eagles former coach Gernot Rohr saw in him that made him include him in his team at only 18 in 2017 and even gambled on him as the Eagles’ first choice at Russia 2018 World Cup.
But Uzoho has yet to justify this confidence at his club as he has had to battle injuries.
Uzoho has also proved he could be Eagles best hands for now judging from his performances so far in his 18 appearances for his country, but then he has to improve his club ratings to guarantee this.
It’s also argued that injuries have also affected his club career as he has spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch.
Naturally, he has had to wait for a fresh chance on return from his documented injuries to grab his opportunities at club level and that haven’t done his competitiveness any good at national team level.
But with this Ronaldo-stopping performance at Old Trafford last night, Uzoho is expected to step up on this while his stays injury-free to firmly lay claim to the No 1 short and make a sweet memory of it just like Enyeama, who remains the standard bearer for most fans.
