Ike Shorunmu urges Super Eagles keeper Francis Uzoho to maintain fine form

Nigeria’s goalkeeper  trainer, Ike Shorunmu has sent an encouraging message to Nicosia in Cyprus and Francis Uzoho after his recent fantastic performance against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League.

The former Nigeria international, who was Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper at the Korea/ Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, believes Uzoho should drop his form after such a superb display at Old Trafford.

“It’s very simple now that he has shown who he is, it’s time for him to maintain the momentum,” Shorunmu opined in a monitored interview by nigeriafootball.ng on Brila FM this week.

The accolades like a player of the month will start coming as a result of his good performance against Manchester United which is very good for the nation. I hope he will continue to maintain that.”

Uzoho made a total number of 11 saves for Omonia in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the group stage of the 2022/2023 UEFA Europa League and Shorunmu warned Uzoho notlet the fine show get into his head.

He said: “It’s easy to rise but maintaining the momentum won’t be easy. Uzoho shouldn’t let the performance against Manchester United get to his head. He should just continue to do his best to maintain that good status.”

Uzoho’s saves almost denied Manchester United a win but a late goal from Scot McTominay in the additional minutes of the second half breached Uzoho and Omonia’s defence.

Scot McTominay pounced on a loose ball inside the box and beats Uzoho with a low shot into the middle of the net.

Uzoho represented Nigeria under-17s at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup at the aged if only 14 as an immediate backup to Dele Alampasu.

In October 2017, Uzoho received his first call-up to the Nigerian senior squad and became a full international debut on 14 November, replacing Daniel Akpeyi in a 4–2 friendly win against Argentina.

He was named in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. By that time he was considered Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper.