NIGERIA’s senior men’s football team Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has defended his selection of Francis Uzoho as first-choice goalkeeper despite outbursts over the shot stopper’s howlers.

Uzoho’s recent performances in two international friendly matches against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique, which ended 2-2 and 3-2, respectively, raised concerns about how he responded to his conceded goals.

Reactions from Nigerians on social media fueled the buzz generated by his performances, and it worsened after he took a swipe at his critics.

However, he apologised to fans for his actions.

Ahead of the race for the World Cup qualification match against Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Thursday, November 16, the Super Eagles gaffer, in defiance of calls by his critics, opted for Uzoho again as his first-choice goalkeeper.

“Francis Uzoho is the best goalkeeper in Nigeria, and he will be starting tomorrow against Lesotho,” said Peseiro at a press conference.

The three goalkeepers in camp are home-based goalkeeper Enyimba FC keeper Ojo Olorunleke, Bendel Insurance Amas Obasogie and Francis Uzoho.

The ICIR reports that the Super Eagles’ victory against Lesotho will take them to lead their Group C after Rwanda played a goalless draw against Zimbabwe today.

In this report on December 10, this organisation published the 23-man list for the match, including debutant Nathan Tella.