The focus for Nigeria ahead of the final round of games in the qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations is on the area of goalkeepers with first choice shot stopper Francis Uzoho set to miss both games due to suspension.
Head coach of the team Jose Peseiro called up two other goalkeepers alongside Uzoho for the back to back games against Guinea Bissau but none of the duo of Chijioke Anigboso or Victor Sochima is seen as ready to step in for Uzoho.
It means the team is facing a crisis in goal and it has been made worse with reports from Watford saying erstwhile first choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is currently battling to recover from a shoulder injury.
The injury is why he hasn’t made the matchday squad for their last six games in a row. He underwent surgery and has started rehabilitation as he bids to get back into full shape before the summer and the start of pre season.
It hasn’t been the kind of move he was thinking when he left Sparta Rotterdam for the English Championship side, as he hasn’t been able to get consistent run of games like he enjoyed in the Netherlands for two straight seasons. He was even voted as player of the season at Sparta.
A loan move in the summer is said to be on the cards but that too is now dependent on how soon he recovers from the surgery. Clubs won’t be keen on gambling on a goalkeeper who just returned from a shoulder injury unless he gets game time to see his recovery rate.
Daniel Martins
