Afcon 2023: Peseiro restates trust in Uzoho, says he is immune to criticism

Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro has hit out at critics ahead of his side’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal clash against Angola on Friday evening.

Peseiro has received criticism from fans and pundits in recent months.

Some even suggested before the 2023 Afcon tournament that the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, should not renew his contract with the Super Eagles.

However, when asked how he is handling criticism, Peseiro told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Thursday ahead of Nigeria’s clash with Angola: “I am 63; maybe 20 years ago, it will affect me.”

Peseiro also restates his trust in Francis Uzoho who has been heavily criticized for his poor form.

“I have other goalkeepers (Uzoho and Ojo). I believe and trust all my goalkeepers, if Nwabali is not fit, I trust Uzoho,” Peseiro said at the pre-match conference on Thursday.

Stanley Nwabali’s fitness has created anxiety among Nigerian fans who are still expecting the new number one to return to action against Angola today.

 “At the mention of Uzoho’s name, every Nigerian gets scared,” a fan Sholumade Wale said.

Another fan, Dare Johnson, also queried the trust of the Portuguese coach in the embattled goalkeeper.

“Why do you always say you trust Uzoho? Have you considered what we think about him if we trust Uzoho?”

Nwabali has been in goal for all of Nigeria’s four games at the 2023 AFCON including Nigeria’s pre-tournament friendly against Guinea in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.

He has conceded just once in four appearances at the Afcon and three times in all his five games for the country, keeping three clean sheets in the process.