Ex-Golden Eaglets Teammate: Uzoho Was Not Up To Scratch, We Always Encouraged Him

Former Golden Eaglets and Flying Eagles star Akinjide Idowu is delighted with the progress of Deportivo de La Coruña goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who has been called up for the upcoming matches against Algeria and Argentina.

Whilst Idowu was a key member of the Nigeria U17s squad at the 2013 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates having featured in six matches, Uzoho just made up the numbers as he didn't play a single game.

''Uzoho is a very young talented goalkeeper. Off the pitch, he's very jovial, simply and a nice person,'' said Akinjide Idowu to allnigeriasoccer.com.

''Back then I saw no atom of discrimination in him, he mingles with everyone in the camp, I'll say he has a very good temperament.''

Idowu added : ''Honestly speaking he wasn't too good those days back in the U-17 but the goalkeeper coach Amadi and we the boys always encourage and motivate him telling him he's a champion and he's the best.

''He received positive words that will keep and help him to be strong psychologically. And when I watched him recently I saw a tremendous change, I mean improvement beyond my expectations.''

Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) and Chidiebere Nwakali (Manchester City), who were named to Nigeria's latest roster, were important members of the Golden Eaglets squad four years ago in UAE.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Photo Credit : rcdeportivo.es