Uzoho or Nwabili, who will start in goal at AFCON? Peseiro admits he's keeping his cards close to his chest 

Manager Jose Peseiro was careful not to give anything away regarding the player to start in goal for the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

For the training game against against Al Gharbia on Sunday, Omonia Nicosia's Francis Uzoho got the nod from the Portuguese football tactician to start, while Chippa United glovesman Stanley Nwabili made his debut for the Super Eagles A team in a 2-0 loss to Guinea on Monday. 

Nigeria were faced with a goalkeeping crisis in the months leading up to the start of the AFCON, with Uzoho a shadow of himself due to his inactivity at Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia, but things have changed in a positive way as the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup winner played in four straight games before he reported for international duty in Abu Dhabi. 

Looking to strengthen the goalkeeping department for the AFCON, Peseiro handed a call-up to Nwabili after he was scouted in South Africa and based on the recommendation of the Nigeria Football Federation.

Speaking to NFF TV after the friendly versus Guinea, Peseiro said: "Today, Stanley played. I don't say for anyone who's in the first XI. Against Equatorial Guinea, in that moment I decide, I know in my head but in that moment I will reveal it to everybody."

Although Peseiro has not directed stated whether he is leaning on Uzoho or whether he could hand a competitive debut to Nwabili on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea,  the Portuguese did not start with his strongest starting lineup in Monday's friendly with the likes of Alex Iwobi, Victor Osiimhen, Frank Onyeka, Calvin Bassey and Ademola Lookman named on the bench. 

The Super Eagles players and officials have flown to Lagos after the training camp in Abu Dhabi that lasted for a week or so. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com