Football
Exclusive: Alloy Agu Expresses Concern Over Uzoho's Situation At Omonia Nicosia
Former Nigeria coach Alloy Agu believes Francis Uzoho is a talented goalkeeper despite lack of playing time at Omonia Nicosia, stalling his development. Uzoho faced setbacks after errors cost Nigeria in games. Swedish club Malmö FF has shown interest in signing him, with Agu confident in Uzoho's future.
Shaun Botterill/Getty Images.
Former Nigeria senior men’s team coach, Alloy Agu, insists that Francis Uzoho remains a solid goalkeeper despite his lack of adequate playing time at his club.
Uzoho’s development has stalled since joining Cypriot league side Omonia Nicosia in 2021.
The 25-year-old has primarily been a backup to 36-year-old Fabiano Freitas, managing just 52 appearances across all competitions over three seasons.
He is yet to play a game for Omonia this season, with his last appearance coming in April.
Uzoho is a talented goalkeeper
“Francis Uzoho is a talented goalkeeper,” Agu told SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview. “What he’s experiencing right now is tough, but that’s the nature of football. I’m confident he’ll bounce back and get the quality game time he deserves.
“This is a player who has represented clubs like Deportivo and Elche in Spain, featured at the 2018 World Cup, and delivered an impressive performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford. While it’s always challenging to break into a team as a goalkeeper, his chance will come.”
Uzoho became Nigeria’s No. 1 goalkeeper at the age of 19 and featured in all three matches at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
However, his career has suffered setbacks due to limited game time at Omonia Nicosia. He has often arrived at national team camps rusty and lacking match fitness.
After a series of error-filled performances, including a costly mistake during the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Ghana—where he allowed a weak shot from Thomas Partey to slip into the net—Uzoho lost his place in the squad.
He was benched for the entire 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and excluded from the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, falling to fourth in the pecking order for the Super Eagles.
“I know him very well, having coached him for years at the national team,” added Agu, a 1994 AFCON winner.
Mistakes are part of football
“It’s unfair how he was treated by the fans after the country failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Mistakes are part of football; they happen to everyone.
“He made important saves in the first leg in Kumasi, and what transpired in Abuja was truly unfortunate. But football is a team sport, and it’s unfair to lay all the blame on him.”
Despite the challenges, Swedish club Malmö FF has reportedly expressed interest in signing Uzoho. According to multiple reports, Malmö has made inquiries about the goalkeeper’s availability.
Agu expressed confidence in Uzoho’s ability to make the right decision, stating, “His future will be decided by his team, but he has good people around him."
Seyi Alao is a Nigerian sports reporter, writer, and producer, known for delivering engaging sports content in both English and Pidgin. At Brila FM, I transitioned seamlessly into the role of Content Creator, demonstrating a deep understanding of media dynamics and effectively crafting captivating and informative narratives.