Former coach of the Nigeria U17 team Manu Garba says newly invited Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Odinaka Uzoho came into the 2013 Nigeria U17 team courtesy of his goalkeeper trainer Emeka Amadi.
Uzoho was third choice goalkeeper for the all conquering Nigeria U17 team of 2013, but according to Manu he wouldn’t have made the team if not for his goalkeeper trainer.
” He wasn’t the best in terms of many factors needed to be a top goalkeeper, hence he was behind the top two we had in the team at that time”, Manu told Owngoalnigeria.com.
” As third choice goalkeeper I had doubts over his abilities but my goalkeeper trainer Emeka Amadi convinced me to give him a chance due to the raw qualities he spotted in him.
” Uzoho joined us from Aspire Academy from Senegal, Amadi explained to me that he has the potential to be a good goalkeeper in the future because he is very tall, and his techniques with the ball at his feet is a plus.
” It took a lot of tactical drills to beat him into shape for the World Youth Championship, and he (Uzoho) was ready to learn. I’m happy for him over his move to Deportivo La Coruna and his subsequent invitation to the Super Eagles “.
Osas Mahawi
