Super Eagles manager, Gernot Rohr has dismissed talk of a goalkeeping problem ahead of Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup opener against Croatia, and has explained why the most inexperienced goalkeeper in the squad, Francis Uzoho has started the last four matches played by the national team.
With Wolves’ Carl Ikeme on the sidelines due to illness, the German coach worked on the possibility of recalling Lille’s Vincent Enyeama to the Super Eagles but jettisoned the plan after the former Hapoel Tel Aviv star failed to join a new club in the January transfer window.
”For me we don’t have a goalkeeping problem, I hear we have a goalkeeping problem, no,” Rohr said post-match.
”We have three good goalkeepers, now we gave the opportunity to Francis to play because he needs the experience of these big games, playing in Wembley, playing in Poland, there were only 40,000, today was more, they have the atmosphere of the World Cup already. He did very well.”
Rohr added : ”We are working a lot with him, we sent our goalkeeper coach two times to La Coruna for ten days to help him also.
”He is only number three in La Coruna but he is doing well in the reserve team, so he continues to work. He is quiet, tall, he is good on the line. We need something like that.”
Uzoho was unbeaten in his first two games for the Super Eagles, against Argentina and Poland, but has conceded five goals in his last three outings for the team.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles’ manager Gernot Rohr has finally announced his 23-man World Cup squad who will lead Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia which is around the corner.
According to Nigeria Football Federation Twitter handle, captain Mikel Obi, Elderson Echiejile, Eddy Onazi, Ahmed Musa, Kenneth Omeruo and Victor Moses will feature in a second World Cup after they were named on the roster.
Young Chelsea defender Ola Aina, Porto midfielder Mikel Agu and Gent’s Moses Simon will not be traveling with the national team to Russia after they were axed by Rohr.
The Nigeria squad contains three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six strikers.
Four players born outside Nigeria in the shape of Leon Balogun, Troost-Ekong, Tyronne Ebuehi and Brian Idowu have been selected in the group.
The Super Eagles will play their opening game at the World Cup against Croatia on June 16.
Nigeria 23-Man World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers : Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi, Ikechukwu Ezenwa
Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu, Tyronne Ebuehi, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Chidozie Awaziem, Elderson Echiejile, Kenneth Omeruo, Bryan Idowu
Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Mikel John Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo, Joel Obi
Strikers: Odion Ighalo, Simeon Nwankwo, Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Moses
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
