Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was in inspiring form which unfortunately was not enough, as a late Scot McTominay goal sealed a 1-0 win for Manchester United against Omonia Nicosia in Group E of the Europa League, Completesports.com reports.
Uzoho was only drafted in following injury to Omonia Nicosia first choice Fabiano and made saves after saves before he was eventually beaten in added time.
He made 12 saves, nine saved shots from inside the box, one punch and 53 touches.
In the early minute of the first half Uzoho went full stretch to punch Marcus Rashford’s goal bound curler away for a corner.
In the midway point Uzoho denied Rashford again this time in a one-on-one situation and pushed another strike from the English forward around the post.
And with less than 15 minutes left he denied Casemiro as he finger tipped the Brazilian’s long range effort against the cross bar.
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Very early in the second half Uzoho stopped Antony and reacted quickest to stop Rashford’s rebound.
Few minutes later he denied Fred’s low shot inside the box and quickly gathered the ball before Cristiano Ronaldo could pounce.
With 20 minutes left Uzoho was called to action again this time stopping Ronaldo’s left foot strike at the near post.
On 82 minutes substitute McTominay tried a low long range strike but once again Uzoho got down to parry the shot away.
But third minute of injury time Uzoho was finally beaten by a low shot inside the box by McTominay after good play by Jadon Sancho.
It was Omonia’s fourth loss in the group which leaves them bottom while United are second on nine points.
By James Agberebi
13 Comments
When was the last time a Nigerian goalkeeper was in a uefa competition? Uzoho was putting in that work, he was denying every goal that came his way. He was going to great lengths doing dives in the air. But yall keep loving the mixed/biracial Okoye
This Blog really gave me goosebumps to confidently read it
The exchange Uzoho had with CR7 is reminiscent of similar exchanges between Enyeama and Messi.
Messi commended Enyeama several times after some stunning saves. And Enyeama reportedly once put his hand on Messi’s neck to check his pulse, in an attempt to verify that he is human, loool.
That kind of mutual respect was evident in the Uzoho-CR7 exchange today.
As a goalie, when a great striker takes the time to commend you for a job well done, it’s a moment to cherish.
Indeed, Uzoho was fortunate with some of those saves, but to benefit from good fortune, you have to be in the right place, and doing the right things.
They’ll meet again in November……(Uzoho & CR7 I mean)
Indeed, they will.
Uzoho was beast today and that’s how God works….
He ll only a table before u when all the enemies are at the table
God is the greatest SHOWMAN on earth
As a Ghanaian am happy for him because dude has been insulted a lot!!
@ Uzoho so you could keep like this nawa ooo!! If no be Uzoho today, Nicosia could have collected Wotowoto.
Iwobi’s transformation is obviously inspiring low performing players to believe that they can move from being strongly criticised to becoming high performers. Nice display Uzoho.
WOW!
Who would ever come up with a NOTION that a SMALL BOY like UZOHO from a very SMALL POOR TOWN in IMO STATE will be SHARING the same STAGE with one of the GREATEST PLAYERS in HISTORY (CR7)..
SMH….LIFE!
GRACE
HARDWORK
I have said it to anyone that cared to listen that Uzoho remains Nigeria best goal keeper. If you watched him when Nigeria played against Brazil under Genet Rohr, you understand what I am talking about. You will see his best in Display, saving one shot after another. He was the man of that match stopping the likes of Neymar, Jesus, Cutinho, Richardson and the likes. He was finally scored after he got injured. The match ended with one goal a piece. His injury led to debut for Maduka Okoye. Uzoho was sidelined for more than 6 months and lost form and lost his first place in both club and country.
But I know that, when gets back to that Form, no Nigerian goal keeper can match him. So I am glad, that it seems that the best of Uzoho is at hand now and will soon put all the doubts and criticism of Naija fans to rest. All he needs is regular playing time. I hope this showing against ManU is enough to guarantee that.
Unfortunately, Uzoho doesn’t have all the aces in his hands. He has shown what he can do. Much depends on the coach . . . and ultimately the Lord. And his agent. He needs a club that will give him game time. My heart bleeds seeing him perpetually warming the bench.
I hope ur coach will give you more playing time at club level after such an inspiring performance against a rampaging man utd side. I also hope you get back the form that made you the super Eagles number one goalie
I’ve always said it….leave these boys alone and let them grow. At such a young age, no GK needs pressure. A Gk should not become a bag of jitters because of what fans will do to him or his family members if a goal is conceded.
Uzoho conceeds a long range dipping and swerving shot, he becomes a bad goalkeeper……yet at just 23, he’s already in his 4th season as an African GK in Europe and has just shut out the GOAT and his teamates for 90 minutes right on their own turf.
Okoye concedes a long range swerving shot taking a bounce at the last minute (albeit him even managing to change direction and getting a hand onto it) he becomes a bad goalkeeper…..yet at just 22, he has already been GK of the season in the Dutch league, Player of the season in his club and practically and almost single-handedly saved them from relegation.
Akpeyi conceeds a freekick to an expert taker like Riyahd Mahrez, he becomes a bad goalkeeper….yet he goes on to put 3 national team Gks on the bench in his club and become Gk of the year in the CAF champions league
I think its time to ask some people if they are sane at all.
The day we ask, find out and know what makes our Gks visibly jittery in national team colors, that’s when we’ll know that we are the greatest contributors to their problems.
Once again, let these boys be. We really dont know how much we are blessed to have 2 young goalkeepers who have reached the heights they are now at such young ages. Even our greats weren’t yet operating at these heights at their age.
At their age, they will make mistakes (by the way Adeleye too committed a big blunder in goal vs Hapoel Telaviv just last week), but the good thing is that they will have a lot more time to learn from them, correct them and become experts at their trade.
Weldone to Uzoho….he made me proud last night…..keep on rising son. Ive never stopped believing in you and definitely will not be stopping anytime soon.
Chop this one today, change that one tomorrow, kill this one today, crucify that one tomorrow…and you expect to find a no 1.?? I wish you well if at all you know what you are doing …LMAOOOoo