Despite the very evident goalkeeping challenge the Super Eagles are faced with and the eminent woes of Nigeria’s first choice goalie, Francis Uzoho, Gernot Rohr has no plans of making any changes to the Nigeria squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The gaffer believes that the three-time African champions have a lot a work to do, having missed out on back-to-back AFCON editions in 2015 and 2017. However, changing the goalkeeping line isn’t one of them.
“We have a little challenge because our… goalkeeper Uzoho has not really played at his club this season.
“Uzoho made one mistake in the last qualifier (against Seychelles) but we gave him a chance with the U-23 side and it was good for his confidence.
“Daniel Akpeyi is playing now for a big team in South Africa and doing very well. Our third goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa too is good, so we can work harder with them.
“We have a good spirit as a team since the World Cup, so there’s no time to bring in new players.”
— Rohr told BBC Sport
Since the abrupt departure of Vincent Enyeama from international football for Nigeria, and the sad exit of the only other ideal replacement, Carl Ikeme, due to health issues, Nigeria has struggled to find the perfect man to fit the No. 1 jersey.
Rohr believes the Super Eagles stand a better chance at the AFCON if resources are devoted to improving the current goaltenders and the entire team.
“We can work on every aspect to improve the team, that is why we have the friendly matches.
“We qualified without two of our most experienced players in Obi Mikel and Victor Moses. I know what pressure is because I have experienced it with Gabon as hosts in 2012 – so this (challenge) is nothing new.”
— Rohr
Featured image source: Pulse.ng