Rohr Dismisses Talk Of Goalkeeping Problem, Explains Why Uzoho Is Starting

Published: June 03, 2018

Gernot Rohr has dismissed talk of a goalkeeping problem ahead of Nigeria's 2018 World Cup opener against Croatia, and has explained why the most inexperienced goalkeeper in the squad Francis Uzoho has started the last four matches played by the national team.

With Wolves' Carl Ikeme on the sidelines due to illness, the German coach worked on the possibility of recalling Lille's Vincent Enyeama to the Super Eagles but jettisoned the plan after the former Hapoel Tel Aviv star failed to join a new club in the January transfer window.

''For me we don't have a goalkeeping problem, I hear we have a goalkeeping problem, no,'' Rohr said post-match.

''We have three good goalkeepers, now we gave the opportunity to Francis to play because he needs the experience of these big games, playing in Wembley, playing in Poland, there were only 40,000, today was more, they have the atmosphere of the World Cup already. He did very well.''

Rohr added : ''We are working a lot with him, we sent our goalkeeper coach two times to La Coruna for ten days to help him also.

''He is only number three in La Coruna but he is doing well in the reserve team, so he continues to work. He is quiet, tall, he is good on the line. We need something like that.''

Uzoho was unbeaten in his first two games for the Super Eagles, against Argentina and Poland, but has conceded five goals in his last three outings for the team.

Igho Kingsley