The former first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria Francis Uzoho insist he isn’t to be solely blamed for the failure of the team to make it to the 2002 world cup in Qatar, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
A Thomas Partey strike sailed through his body for the goal that saw Ghana picked a 1-1 draw to qualify via the away goal rule in the second leg of the play off in Abuja, after a 0-0 draw away in Accra.
Uzoho was targeted by fans of the team after the game, and it wasn’t so much of a surprise when he was axed as first choice at the AFCON with his spot given to Chippa United shot stopper and new captain Stanley Nwabali.
Two years after the incident, Uzoho who was completely omitted from the squad for the last round of international games, which was the AFCON qualifiers 3-0 win over Benin Republic and the 0-0 draw against Rwanda has given his opinion about that sad day in Abuja.
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He said “I can’t take that responsibility alone,” Uzoho told Eagles Tracker. “I had a good game in Ghana, but when we came to Abuja, it didn’t go the way we wanted.
“Trust me, I wouldn’t let that ball pass me out of fear, it just happened.”
Speaking further he said the attack, which was led by Victor Osimhen should share a part of the blame as it could have been different if they had scored after he conceded. “Football is teamwork. When my team failed, I kept the score 0-0 in Ghana. When they came to Abuja, it was their turn to bail me out, and they did score a goal.
“If we had scored two goals, it would have been a different story.”
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
