Francis Uzoho, the Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper in the Cyprus First Division, reacted after Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle called him up to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad.
The Port City News (TCPN) reported that Uzoho was the first player to arrive at the Super Eagles camp in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday as preparations for the tournament in Morocco began.
Speaking in an interview with journalists at the Renaissance Hotels in Cairo, Uzoho said he was delighted to return to the national team.
The 27-year-old said he missed his teammates, the camp atmosphere, and the camaraderie that came with being part of the Super Eagles, having gone a long period without a call-up.
Uzoho said, “It is a thing of joy to return and to have the kind of feelings I am having now. Any player called up to the national team must be ready to give their best.
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“So basically, I am ready, and if the time comes and the country needs me, I will give my best.”
This newspaper reported that the former APOEL goalkeeper was dropped from the Super Eagles setup after his error against Ghana in Abuja, which prevented Nigeria from qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
However, he returned to the squad during the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire but did not feature regularly, as Stanley Nwabali emerged as the first-choice goalkeeper.
Uzoho made only one appearance at the tournament, coming on against Cameroon after Nwabali sustained an injury and was substituted.
This newspaper also reported that players who arrived at the camp alongside Uzoho included Amas Obasogie, Semi Ajayi, Ademola Lookman, Igoh Ogbu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Stanley Nwabali, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro and Tochukwu Nnadi.
Their early arrival allowed head coach Eric Chelle to begin preparations ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to kick off on 21 December in Morocco.
