Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Francis Odinaka Uzoho is again facing an uncertain future, following his shock release by Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus, megasportsarena.com gathered.
The Cypriot club took the shock decision to lay off he former Deportivo La Coruna and Elche of Spain shot-stopper on summer transfer deadline day, which means he has limited chances of getting a new club.
However, with his inclusion in the Super Eagles’ roster to face Liberia and Cape Verde in their upcoming 2022 World Cup qualifiers, Uzoho will be aiming at an opportunity to play himself back into contention.
He will enter both games, first this Friday in Lagos versus Liberia and then four days later away in Cape Verde, as a free agent, thereby giving him a slim chance of catching the eye of any suitor ready to deal outside the transfer window.
Uzoho’s deal with Apoel was meant to run till 2023, but its termination marks another blow for the youngster, who endured a long-term injury lay-off and spent last year on loan at Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus.
He then sought a revival after the Covid-19 lockdown, but another bow has hit the tall keper, who was in goal for Nigeria in all three games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup but lost his place to Daniel Akpeyi during the 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt.
He earlier shot to prominence with a clean sheet in his Spanish LaLiga debut against Eibar, but lack of opportunities saw him move to Elche in the lower cadre Segunda División on a year loan.
He then moved to Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus in 2019, but another setback has hit the chequered carer of the shot-stopper, who
The race is now on for Uzoho, heading into next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, as Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr would not want to be saddled with a match rusty unattached keeper for his title ambitions.
This is sequel to a report by scorenigeria.com.ng, which stated in part: “Francis Uzoho, who was Super Eagles No 1 at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has parted ways with Cypriot Apoel Nicosia FC.
“The club announced the end of the co-operation between club and player. They further disclosed that they will be entitled to a financial compensation should Uzoho feature at next year’s World Cup with Nigeria.
“Uzoho, 22, joined Apoel from Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna in July 2020. He has previously featured for (two other) Cypriot clubs, Omonia Nicosia and Anorthosis.”
