Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has regretted the injury picked up by Francis Uzoho in Sunday’s friendly clash against Brazil, reports Completesports.com.
Uzoho, who was impressive in the game left the pitch in the 65th minute as a result of the injury.
The Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper is now a doubt for next month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
against Benin and Lesotho.
“Francis had a great game, we regret his injury.He will have examinations tomorrow (today), so we will see exactly what the problem is,”Rohr stated in a short video interview posted on the Super Eagles Twitter handle.
”He is playing well in his club so he can come back with us. I hope he will not be out for a long time because we have two important matches to play. So, we have a lot of work to do”.
Rohr also revealed why Fortuna Dusseldorf goalkeeper Maduka Okoye was preferred ahead of the more experienced as replament for Uzoho in the game.
“Ezenwa didn’t play since few months ago, not even in the CHAN team, so we decided to play Maduka because of his competitiveness with his club.
By Adeboye Amosu
27 Comments
Then stop inviting him and look elsewhere for other options
If Ezenwa is not good enough for he CHAN team, why is he being invited for the SE? Does the coach owe him something????
Bomboy, I really wonder why the coach keeps inviting a home based goalkeeper who could not make the Chan team.
Rohr shud help ezenwa to a France or German club even if it is a lower league club
The goal keeper’s coach is the silent operator behind the scene, remember we had this sort of problem when the late Stephen Keshi was at the helm of affairs. So Nigerians should call out the goal keeper’s coach who to me is less qualified than Peter Rufai to be our National team goal keeper’s trainer. Can somebody explain to me why Alapasu is not in our national team? Other countries would have drafted him straight to the National team from our U17 of 2013 with which he conquered the World and personally won the golden gloves of the tournament. England did it with Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, Brazil did for Pele who played a vital role in the team even at that young age, and the real Rolando who was a part of the world cup winning team of 1994 but did not participate in any of their matches but was in the team to learn. Uzoho was Alapasu’s deputy in 2013, he didn’t get to play throughout the tournament because Alapasu was extremely good. Non of the present keepers in our National is better that Alapasu so, the coaches should stop ignoring him. Can you imagine an inactive local based goal keeper making our National team? It is scandalous.
Oga….2013 is 6 good years ago…! What has been alampusu’s development route since 2013 when he was 1st choice at U17 level. The fact that Uzoho was 2nd choice then doesnt mean he would be 2nd choice forever.
What has Alampasu done with his career…? Pls where does he even play at the moment sef…? The last time I heard anything about alampasu was 2 years ago when he was in CD Fierense of Portugal ( I dont know if he is still there). 3 years ago he was on loan at CS Cesarense (or something like that) in the portugese 3rd division. That was the last time he played some real meaningful competitive football. How many matches did he play last season and how many has he played this season.
After Alampasu, we have had Enaholo who overtook alampasu at U20 level. We have had Akpan Udoh of 2015 U17 who has graduated to the U23 level. We have had the likes of Emma Daniel of Rio 2016 and other young guys playing domestically like Emmanuel Iwu, Olorunleke Ojo and Benjamin Amos.
Uzoho who was Alampasu’s deputy in 2013 has gone on to play in all three Spanish divisions (including laliga) with Deportivo and Elche and is currently playing in the cypriot top division firstly with Anorthosis and now with Omonia.
Do you still think it is right to still be resting on Alampasu’s U17 laureals 6 solid years ago…?? How would you say none of the present keepers is better than alampasu when even the alampasu isnt playing for almost 2 seasons now. Do you know that Alampasu was part of our 2014 CHAN team that won bronze but since then his career stats since 2015 reads just 3 competitive matches for his club…???
Even Rohr has invited Dele to the SE a couple of occasions and even gave him his national team debut against Togo in 2017, but since then, what has Dele done for himself clubwise, 2 good seasons now and he hasnt played league football yet….I stand to be corrected though.
So pls, blame Dele for whatever predicament he is going through now at National team level. His agents should sit up and get him a good club where he can play league/ competitive football regularly….anywhere in Europe will do. If a German 4th division keeper can be invited to the SE due to his consistency why wont a Portuguese 2nd division or Spanish 3rd division or Swedish 2nd division goalkeeper also get a look in if he is consistent. If an European move doesnt materialize then why not come back to the Nigerian league and relaunch his career. Afterall, Emma Daniel went abroad after Rio 2016 and had to come back home after 2 years of inactivity to relaunch himself.
I wish Uzoho a speedy recovery. This is what happened when we have coach Rohr in charge of our team.
As a good and smart coach, he would have tried out Okoye against Ukraine before the Brazil match.
The belief would have been there for him to play Okoye against Brazil.
He did that during the Ighalo and Akpeyi era, he failed. He also did that to Osimeh during the Afcon until Ighalo got injured.
So going by these reasons, why keep inviting the players he doesn’t trust?
Now, going by his statement, he only believed in Uzoho only period.
Okoke is a good goalkeeper as well. I saw that in yesterday’s match. Very calm and smart.
This is the kind of results we are going to get as long as Mr. Rohr refused to change his beliefs and mentality.
If Uzoho wasn’t injured yesterday, Okoye will never played in that match. What a coach?
Our world class coach is very funny. I’m sorry, this our world class coach will never lack good team but winning something meaningful for Nigeria will be difficult. Mark my words. I hate nobody but that is the truth. God bless Nigeria!!!
Genuine concerns, I would agree.
Alaye you’re always saying crap
Rohr can never satisfy u, that’s impossible. You’re always looking for ways to say something about him. Is Rohr denying you of your daily bread??
If he had started Okoye against Brazil, only God knows what u will still say.
Always nagging, your problem is multifaceted alaye
Omo9ja, l feel sorry for you. l see your life span that is going to be very short because of the stress you ungodly brought upon yourself. You alone in Nigeria never see anything good that our hard working coach is doing managing the Nigeran team even when he is not being paid for 3 months. Even when Brazil was not able to beat the Super Eagle. What will the coach do to earn your mean respect ? We see your life being cut short because of the hatred in your dark heart.
@Gbenga and Elf, let me make this clear to both of you and others.
At first, this is not about coach Rohr but about our Country.
However, let me start from Mr. Odegbami, the man said a lot about the coach which I have been saying for a long time but Nigerians turned their backs to him.
Long story short, I appreciate Oga Rohr’s efforts and I would like to say kudos to him.
However, the coach went to the world cup and Afcon and we all believed that he has learned a lot but against Ukraine and Brazil, he was leading by 2-0 and 1-0 in those encounters.
No1. What went wrong in that match against Ukraine?
Inability to interpret the situations of the game.
Wrong tactics, late substitutions.
So therefore, what did the coach of the Ukrainians and Brazilian team were doing differently?
They were not better than our coach but what they did differently was the ability of having plan A, plan B and plan C in place.
They knew our weaknesses and they utilized it. They knew that we only good at the first half but lack ideas in the second half.
Hmm…. are you guys still following me?
My observations so far, any team we will be playing against from now on understand that Nigeria is very good in the first half but in the last 45 minutes, Super Eagles have nothing to offer but defending.
That means, it is 50/50 chance.
It’s going to be hard for Oga Rohr’s team to beat big teams.
Maybe once in a while they can.
In Africa, we can still compete with the big teams but it’s not guaranteed that the manager has what it takes to win us Gold or silver medals.
What can we do to help the coach this time around is to get him a sound assistant coach and a goalkeeper trainer.
By doing so, coach Rohr will know who to play or when to sub and tactics to be using in the game.
Nobody hates Oga Rohr but we all wants the best for Nigeria.
We have good players everywhere at the moment and Oga Rohr have no excuses to build a sound and solid team for us.
We need a team that can beat, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Italy and so on. Not go and try your luck team. We or I omo9ja don’t want gambler in charge of our team. Imagine, Super Eagles were celebrating Bronze medals in Egypt. What a shame. It seems like the coach doesn’t know our value in football and most especially, in Africa.
Super Eagles deserved to win against Brazil but our technical crews lacked ideas.
I don’t need to exchange words with you guys but what you people need is explanation.
Assuming that Uzoho was not injured in that match against Brazil, Okoye wouldn’t have tasted few minutes of actions and you guys wanted me to remain silent? Is that a joke or what?
Lastly, let’s call a spade a spade. The coach is doing his best but for him to win something bigger for Nigeria, he need two assistant coaches. Not Saliu Yusuf, Imama and Alloy but our ex players who has the knowledge of modern football. Who can interpret the game for Oga Rohr.
I am sorry if you come across errors in this write up because I’m so busy right now. I should have continued but time doesn’t permits me. God bless Nigeria!!!
I support your comment, why keep inviting players you do not trust, this coach is very slow to decision making like a public organization.
Mr Rohr failed in that aspect.. If he dnt trust the guy why inviting in the first place.. There re better goalkeeper’s waiting for that opportunity and Alloy Agu and Ike Shoromu shld look into this as our goalkeeper trainer’s..
@ Frank Smith-You have made valid submissions here. I still wonder why Ezenwa keeps getting invites when he is not even the best local based goalkeeper. Alampasu who is younger and a better keeper should have a place in this team and with the unfortunate injury to Uzoho, It is high time, we look over Ezenwa and invite a better replacement for him.HE WILL NEVER IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS TEAM.
On another note, Chuba Akpom and two unknown players, has switched allegiance, how long does it take FIFA to approve this?
Imagine, this kind of 23 for our beloved 9ja?
Goalkeepers-Uzoho, Maduka, Alampasu(not so sure of how he is faring in his club).
Defenders-Ebuehi,Aina,Troost,Omeruo,Awaziem,Ajayi,Stephen Eze, Collins.
Midfielders-Ndidi, Aribo,Etebo, Sheyi Ojo, Ebere Eze, Iwobi,
Attackers-Chukwueze, Osimhen, Kalu, Akpom, Musa, Bonaventure…
Chai! I am catching cold…
Lolz xhuxhu why didn’t u include tomori cus he wasn’t used in England last match so he’s still eligible to play for Nigeria
In that sense, Gernot Rohr should invite the following goalkeepers for possible inclusion in the Super Eagles: Sebastian Osigwe(SC Krien, Switzerland), David Nwolokor(HJK Rijeka,Croatia) Arthur Okonkwo(Arsenal U-23), Dele Alampasu(CD Fereinse, Portugal) and some others who can add value to the Super Eagles.
If Rohr could invite Okoye who is in the 4th division club in Germany and Inactive Ezenwa to SE.. Why not consider Alampasu and Nwokolor who are playing in higher division. Alloy Agu is a huge disappoint to the country. Rufai is a better option as goal keepers coach!
Well….For the people Clamouring for Alampasu because of his performance @ under 17 four years ago..I don’t want to agree with you. Here’s my Reason….
* David Samuel Nwolokor
Age: 23
Height: 1.86m
Current Team: Rijeka (Croatia)
2016/17: Vitez – Loan – 26 games
2018/19: iclinic Sered – Loan – 12 games
* Dele Alampasu (the man of the people)
Age: 22
Height: 1.99m
Current Team: Feirense (Portugal)
2016/17: Cesarense (Loan) – 13 games
2018/19: Feirense – 1 game.
* Sebastien Ogenna Osigwe
Age : 25
Height : 1.85m
Current Team : SC Kriens (Switzerland)
2018/19 : 20 games
..18/19 – 12 games, 19/20 season – 8 games.
So.. According to current form, I’ll go for Osigwe. He is the only Nigerian Goalie among the three that has game record for this season..8 almost every matches 2019/20..apart from Uzoho and Okonkwo (5 game for Arsenal under 18 this season).
Alampasu..just 1 game since 2018 is not better in Record than Ezenwa who even played against Madagascar this 2019.
My Opinion o…No hard feelings.
Alampasu has been released by his club Feirense U23 since June and is back in Mowe training with the club he owns and runs in Lagos.
Hopefully when the NPFL begins I a few weeks he can either train with a club or join one
What a pity?
Thanks again BigD for the information.
2 highly promising goalkeepers have fallen by the way side:Alampasu and Emmanuel Daniel.
I hope they will be back.
Are you serious…?! Wow.
Its best he retraces his steps real quick..! I get am b4 nor be property.
Apparently both of Omonia Nicosia’s keepers were injured during the international football break and the club are looking for a free against to sign. I have left a comment on Dele Alampasu’s Instagram page as well as sent a message to someone in contact with him to throw his hat in the ring and contact the club offering his services.
Wouldn’t it be great if this “dark cloud with a silver lining” could be the one that redirects both his club as well as his national career? I hope the message gets to him in a timely way and he responds promptly
Big thumbs up to you @BigD.
I hope this works out well for the lad. You would have single-handedly saved a life.
I doff my hat for you. Weldone.
Alampasu! Alampasu! Alampasu!
Finally we’ve seen where he is. Don’t rush to conclude that the coaches are myopic or ‘funny’ (like Omo9ja).. There are things they see & know which we do not know.
Invite the best NPFL keeper…Are they not the ones bagging goals in the CHAN & Olympic eagles presently?
Think through before you come through with wishy-washy opinions.
One big problem I see with our Nigeria news platforms. How the hell is Neymar’s injury given a higher profile than Uzoho’s. I would expect a Nigerian news platform to give equal or even a higher profile than a foreign players article
In other new:
2013 U17 World Cup winning goalie Dele Alampasu, turned down the chance to sign for 2-time African Champions Enyimba.
The out of favour Super Eagles GK has been without club since his departure from Portuguese Liga Pro side Feirense in June.
Could Enyimba be his best chance to get back into the National Team picture??
#brilafm #brilasports