'Osayi-Samuel replaced Aina' - Peseiro reacts to Uzoho's ineligibility to face Sierra Leone

Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro is facing a selection dilemma ahead of the national team's 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Sierra Leone in June. 

Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho's run of ten consecutive appearances for the Super Eagles will surely come to an end on matchday five against the Leone Stars. 

Uzoho has two yellow cards in 2023 AFCON qualifying, accumulated on matchday one against Sierra Leone and the most recent fixture against Guinea-Bissau, which means he will not be called up for the national team's next game. 

The 2013 U17 World Cup winner has found himself in the same situation as Torino defender Ola Aina, who was not invited for the AFCON qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau after picking up two cautions against Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe.

Peseiro has insisted that he's not losing sleep over the absence of his undisputed first choice goalkeeper, and cited the fact that there were no issues when Fenerbahce right-back Bright Osayi-Samuel, unarguably Nigeria's standout performer in the games this month, came in for Aina. 

Asked if he's making arrangements for the absence of Uzoho, Peseiro told reporters at the post-match press conference : "Aina could not play against Guinea-Bissau and we fielded Bright Osayi-Samuel. I have confidence in my players. 

"The goalkeeper I'm going to start in my next match, I have confidence. I defend my players every time. 

"The fans don't like some players or criticize them. It's normal in football. When I start eleven players it's my responsibility not the responsibility of the fans."

Oghenekaro Etebo, Wilfred Ndidi and Kenneth Omeruo are walking a disciplinary tightrope as they are one booking away from a suspension. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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