The invitation of Francis Odinaka Uzoho has generated debates among soccer fans in Nigeria with some saying the 18 year old is not ripe enough for the Super Eagles yet.
Uzoho has been relegated to Deportivo La Coruna B team who are campaigning in the third tier of league football in Spain after keeping goal in two La-Liga games.
Defending his invitation team spokesman Toyin Ibitoye said coach Gernot Rohr invited the former Nigeria U17 goalkeeper based on factors that most national coaches won’t ignore.
” First of all how many young African goalkeepers do we have in Europe, particularly in the top five league in Europe? Uzoho has what it takes and that is why he is at Deportivo La Coruna “, Ibitoye told Owngoalnigeria.com.
” Once upon a time, the first choice goalkeeper of Cameroon was keeping goal for the B team of Barcelona in the third division in Spain, same Cameroon have Kameni Idris Carlos in the top flight that same time.
” Most people got to know Uzoho after his debut for the first team but we have been monitoring his progress since he moved to Deportivo La Coruna. He is a regular for the B team who are in the third division.
” He (Uzoho) is a big lad and his presence is an edge, he is not coming to be first choice. Far from it but we have to keep an eye on the future and integrating him now will no doubt prepare him for the role of Eagles first choice in the long run”, he concluded.
Osas Mahawi
