Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has explained the reason for his unsportsmanly conduct in Anorthosis Famagusta 3-0 home win against Alki Oroklini in their Cyproit League clash on Monday, Completesports.com reports.
Uzoho was sent off for a double middle finger salute to opposing fans in the 23rd minute of the encounter.
It was the first time the young goalkeeper will received the marching orders in a competitive game in his career.
The 20-year-old missed Anorthosis’ last six games as a result of a health certificate saga.
“I was the object of racist insults and spit,” Uzoho told eldesmarque.com.
Vincent Bessat, Michal Duris and Danijel Pranjic secured a comfortable win for ten-man Anorthosis Famagusta in the game.
The Nigeria international will miss Anorthosis next three games against Ermis Aradippou, Enosis Paralimni and Pafos FC.
Uzoho spent the first half of the season at Elche, where he made 11 appearances for the Spanish second-tier club in all competitions conceding 12 goals. He also kept four clean sheets.
Capped 13 times by Nigeria, Uzoho played all three matches as the Super Eagles exited the 2018 World Cup in the group stage.
In October 2017, Uzoho became the youngest foreign goalkeeper to ever play in La Liga and marked a memorable Deportivo La Coruna debut with a clean sheet.
Uzoho was part of the victorious Nigeria squad at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, albeit without playing a single minute at the tournament.
He only arrived at Deportivo from Qatar’s Aspire Academy in January 2017.
By Adeboye Amosu
2 Comments
Uzoho should always exhibit strong professional disciplinary etiquette in the field of play and complain later. By exposing your anger or show your frustration in the middle of the games doesn’t ungual well for you as a pro.
Always remember that the whole Nigeria Nation and Rohr is watching you all the step of the way. Rohr will understand that at your age (20), racial insults can be hard to bear. Always feel like fighting back instantly, but remember that you are a pro. Wish you the best of luck.
@EdoMan. Well said… nothing more to add