Ahead Cameroun 2019 African Nations Cup Qualifier Uzoho doubtful as Dosu joins clamour for more local lads
SUPER Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho may have been ruled out of Nigeria’s Cameroun 2019 African Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa in Johannesburg next week by a rib fracture he copped in a Spanish league game at the weekend. Uzoho yesterday confirmed that he would be out for four weeks, which means he would also miss the international friendly against Uganda three days after the game against the Bafana Bafana.
Uzoho, who is on loan to Elche in the Spanish second division from Deportivo La Coruna, was in goal when his team lost 1-5 to Cadiz at the weekend. He suffered a ‘heavy concussion’ in the same match and was rushed to the clinic where he was examined and discharged.
Elche said via their twitter handle, “Francis Uzoho has suffered a heavy concussion at the party today and has been transferred to the San Rafael clinic.
“After the tests performed no bone injury has been appreciated and has been discharged. Additional tests will be held tomorrow in Elche (sic).”
The club later revealed that Uzoho would be out for four weeks as a result of rib fracture.
They added: “Francis Uzoho has undergone today’s radiological tests at the Tesla Clinic that determine that the player has a fracture of the seventh costal arch after the blow suffered yesterday at the Ramón de Carranza Stadium.
“The estimated time of withdrawal is four weeks.”
Uzoho’s injury means Gernot Rohr has only two goalkeepers, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi, in his team for the matches against South Africa and Uganda.
Meanwhile, former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Dosu Joseph has joined those clamouring for more opportunities in the national team for homebased players.
Following reports that Enyimba number one goalkeeper, Theophilus Afelokhai, was being looked into for a call up into the Eagles, Dosu said the coaches were unfair to the home-based players by inviting over 20 foreign stars to the camp when the local boys have only two slots.