Francis Uzoho

Born in Nwangele,{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdeportivo.es/jugador/uzoho|title=Profile|access-date=23 October 2017|language=es|publisher=Deportivo La Coruña}} Uzoho joined the Senegal branch of Aspire Academy in 2013, aged 14.{{cite web|website=aspire.qa|publisher=Aspire Academy|title=FIFA WORLD CUP DEBUT FOR FORMER ASPIRE FOOTBALL DREAMS KEEPER UZOHO|url=http://www.aspire.qa/news.aspx?id=1781|date=16 June 2018|access-date=19 February 2019|archive-date=20 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220003039/http://www.aspire.qa/news.aspx?id=1781|url-status=dead}} Initially a forward, he became a goalkeeper after being deemed "too slow" at the age of 12.{{cite web|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/torremarathon/2017/08/30/francis-uzoho-veces-extrano-jugar-punta/0003_201708G30P34991.htm|title=Francis Uzoho: "A veces extraño jugar en punta"|trans-title=Francis Uzoho: "Sometimes I miss playing up front"|date=30 August 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|language=es|publisher=La Voz de Galicia}} In 2016, after impressing at a tournament in Barcelona, he joined Deportivo de La Coruña's Juvenil squad.

Age rules meant that Uzoho could only become available to sign a contract with Dépor in January 2017;{{cite web|url=https://www.riazor.org/el-depor-ficha-al-nigeriano-francis-uzoho/|title=El Dépor ficha al nigeriano Francis Uzoho|trans-title=Dépor sign the Nigerian Francis Uzoho|date=16 January 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|language=es|publisher=Riazor}} shortly after signing his contract, he started to train with the first team.{{cite web|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/torremarathon/2017/01/17/promesa-nigeriana-entrena-primer-equipo-deportivo/0003_201701G17P40991.htm|title=Una promesa nigeriana se entrena con el primer equipo del Deportivo|trans-title=A Nigerian prospect trains with the first team of Deportivo|date=17 January 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|language=es|publisher=La Voz de Galicia}} Promoted to the reserve team ahead of the 2017–18 season, he made his senior debut on 10 September by starting in a 3–0 Segunda División B home win against Real Madrid Castilla.{{cite web|url=https://as.com/futbol/2017/09/10/mas_futbol/1505072855_658579.html|title=El Castilla sucumbe ante el Depor en tan solo veinte minutos|trans-title=Castilla fall against Depor within only twenty minutes|date=10 September 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|language=es|publisher=Diario AS|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144035/https://as.com/futbol/2017/09/10/mas_futbol/1505072855_658579.html|url-status=dead}}

Uzoho made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 15 October 2017, starting in a 0–0 away draw against SD Eibar.{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdeportivo.es/en/new/eibar-depor-will-be-remembered-for-francis-debut|title=Eibar-Dépor will be remembered for Francis' debut|date=15 October 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|publisher=Deportivo La Coruña}} At the age of 18 years and 352 days, he became the youngest ever foreign goalkeeper to debut in La Liga, and the second-youngest player to appear in the league during the campaign at that point, only behind Real Madrid's Achraf Hakimi.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41637751|title=Nigerian Uzoho revels in historic La Liga debut|date=16 October 2017|access-date=18 October 2017|author=Oluwashina Okeleji|publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite web|url=http://www.marca.com/futbol/deportivo/2017/10/17/59e51dab468aeba6588b464a.html|title=El portero del Deportivo Francis Uzoho entra en la historia de LaLiga|trans-title=Deportivo goalkeeper Francis Uzoho goes into LaLiga's history|date=17 October 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|language=es|publisher=Marca}}

On 24 August 2018, Uzoho renewed his contract for three seasons{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdeportivo.es/noticia/francis-renueva-su-contrato-con-el-depor-por-3-temporadas|title=Francis renueva su contrato con el Dépor por 3 temporadas|trans-title=Francis renews his contract with Dépor for 3 seasons|publisher=Deportivo La Coruña|language=es|date=24 August 2018|access-date=26 August 2018}} and immediately loaned him to Segunda División side Elche CF for one year.{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdeportivo.es/noticia/francis-jugara-esta-temporada-cedido-en-el-elche|title=Francis jugará esta temporada cedido en el Elche|trans-title=Francis will play this season on loan at Elche|publisher=Deportivo La Coruña|language=es|date=24 August 2018|access-date=26 August 2018}} In February 2019 he moved on loan to Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta,{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/nigeria-goalkeeper-francis-uzoho-joins-anorthosis-famagusta/1c6xiwfqnpk8j1cjz7mi0wq6ub|title=Nigeria goalkeeper Francis Uzoho joins Anorthosis Famagusta on loan - Goal.com|website=www.goal.com}} in the search of more first-team football in the run up to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47088471|title=Francis Uzoho: Nigeria keeper moves for first-team football|date=1 February 2019|access-date=4 February 2019|website=BBC Sport}}

After making his debut for the club, concerns were raised about his health certificate.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47178832|title=Francis Uzoho: Nigeria keeper caught up in Cyprus 'health certificate' probe|date=9 February 2019|website=BBC Sport}} As a result, Anorthosis Famagusta were deducted 9 points, which they appealed.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47295201|title=Francis Uzoho: Cypriot club Anorthosis to appeal points penalty|date=19 February 2019|website=BBC Sport}} The club's deduction appeal was rejected, although Uzoho's appeal against his personal penalty of a one-match ban and €1,000 fine was successful.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47350533|title=Uzoho wins appeal against one-match ban|date=24 February 2019|website=BBC Sport}}

In July 2019 he returned on loan to Cyprus, this time with Omonia.{{Cite web |date=4 July 2019 |title=Francis Uzoho encuentra nuevo equipo en Chipre |url=https://eldesmarque.com/coruna/deportivo/noticias/39538-francis-uzoho-omonia-nicosia}} He played few games, due to a serious injury he sustained while playing for his national team.

In July 2020, Uzoho moved permanently to APOEL on a three-year contract, but was released in August of the following year. On the deadline of the Summer transfer window, Uzoho joined Omonia on a three-year deal,{{Cite web |last=OmonoiaFC |date=2021-09-01 |title=Ποδοσφαιριστής της ΟΜΟΝΟΙΑΣ ο Φράνσις Ουζόχο! |url=https://www.omonoiafc.com.cy/%cf%80%ce%bf%ce%b4%ce%bf%cf%83%cf%86%ce%b1%ce%b9%cf%81%ce%b9%cf%83%cf%84%ce%ae%cf%82-%cf%84%ce%b7%cf%82-%ce%bf%ce%bc%ce%bf%ce%bd%ce%bf%ce%b9%ce%b1%cf%83-%ce%bf-%cf%86%cf%81%ce%b1%ce%bd%cf%83%ce%af/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Omonoia FC |language=en-US}} which he would later renew until 2027.{{Cite web |title="Έδεσε" Ουζόχο η Ομόνοια {{!}} AlphaNews.Live |url=https://www.alphanews.live/sports/edese-oyzoho-i-omonoia |access-date=2023-09-11 |website=www.alphanews.live |language=el}}

On 13 October 2022, Uzoho received praise for his performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Europa League. Omonia lost 1–0 to a late goal, but Uzoho made 12 saves on the night.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63251679 |title=Francis Uzoho: Omonia Nicosia keeper and boyhood Man Utd fan stars at Old Trafford |website=BBC Sport |date=13 October 2022 }} He was nominated for the Europa League Player of the Week and Save of the Day awards.{{Cite web |last=efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com |date=2022-10-14 |title=Uzoho nominated for two Europa League awards after heroics |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/10/uzoho-nominated-for-two-europa-league-awards-after-heroics/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}

In March 2023, Uzoho was named Nigerian Goalkeeper of the Year at the Nigeria Pitch Awards.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=9th Nigeria Pitch Awards: Osimhen Crowned King of Football As Oshoala Emerges Queen |url=https://thecrestng.com/2023/03/27/9th-nigeria-pitch-awards-osimhen-crowned-king-of-football-as-oshoala-emerges-queen/ |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=The Crest |language=en-US}}

Although mostly considered second-choice goalkeeper behind Fabiano,{{Cite web |last=Railston |first=Steven |date=2022-10-13 |title=Why Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was 'happy' after his side lost to Man Utd |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/francis-uzoho-man-united-omonia-25255666 |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}} Uzoho won the Cypriot Cup with Omonia in 2022 and 2023.{{Cite web |last=Oyebola |first=Mike |date=2023-05-26 |title=Super Eagles goalkeeper, Uzoho wins Cypriot Cup with Omonia Nicosia |url=https://dailypost.ng/2023/05/26/super-eagles-goalkeeper-uzoho-wins-cypriot-cup-with-omonia-nicosia/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}

File:FWC 2018 - Group D - NGA v ISL - Photo 42.jpg at the 2018 FIFA World Cup]]

Uzoho represented Nigeria under-17s at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Aged only 14, he was an immediate backup to Dele Alampasu.{{cite web|url=http://dailypost.ng/2017/10/16/nigerian-born-teenage-goalkeeper-francis-uzoho-makes-la-liga-debut/|title=Nigerian-born teenage goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho makes La Liga debut|date=16 October 2017|access-date=23 October 2017|newspaper=Daily Post}}

In October 2017, Uzoho received his first call-up to the Nigerian senior squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41872543|title=Deportivo goalkeeper Uzoho delight at Nigeria call-up|date=5 November 2017|access-date=6 November 2017|author=Oluwashina Okeleji|publisher=BBC Sport}} He made his full international debut on 14 November, replacing Daniel Akpeyi in a 4–2 friendly win against Argentina.{{Cite web|url=https://en.as.com/en/2017/11/14/football/1510655600_706745.html|title=Argentina 2-4 Nigeria World Cup 2018 friendly match: match report, goals, action|date=24 January 2019|website=AS.com|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618212947/https://en.as.com/en/2017/11/14/football/1510655600_706745.html|url-status=dead}}

He was named in Nigeria's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.{{cite web |date=3 June 2018 |title=World Cup 2018: Arsenal's Iwobi in Nigeria's 23-man squad |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44346451 |website=BBC Sport}} By that time he was considered Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper.{{cite web |date=11 June 2018 |title=World Cup 2018: Nigeria's Uzoho still on a 'learning curve' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44438050 |website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |last=Fowowe |first=Solomon |date=2018-06-05 |title=Francis Uzoho: wannabe striker aims to become Nigeria's goalkeeping giant |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/05/francis-uzoho-wannabe-nigeria-goalkeeper-la-liga-world-cup |access-date=2023-06-23 |issn=0261-3077}} Uzoho started all three of his team's games at the tournament.

He withdrew from the national squad in November 2018 due to injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46030232|title=Injury forces Francis Uzoho to withdraw from Nigeria squad|date=6 November 2018|website=BBC Sport}} He was a squad member at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.{{Cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201906120056.html|title=Nigeria: Super Eagles' Team List for Afcon 2019|date=12 June 2019|via=AllAfrica.com}} Uzoho was in goal for Nigeria in the 3rd place match against Tunisia, which they won.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/sports/football/super-eagles-of-nigeria-beat-tunisia-1-0-to-win-3rd-place-game-of-afcon-2019/9m05x06|title=Bronze for Nigeria as Super Eagles beat Tunisia 1-0 to win 3rd-place game of AFCON 2019|date=17 July 2019|website=www.pulse.ng|access-date=9 August 2019}}

In October 2019 he suffered a ligament injury in a friendly match against Brazil,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50058189|title=Nigeria keeper Uzoho facing long injury lay-off|date=15 October 2019|via=www.bbc.co.uk}} and underwent surgery in November 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50437831|title=Francis Uzoho: Nigeria keeper says knee operation 'a success'|date=15 November 2019|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}

Uzoho's injuries and recent performances had reduced him to a back-up role at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.{{Cite web |last=Umeh |first=Azu |date=2019-07-04 |title=INSIDE AFCON 2019: Uzoho Bares Feelings After Being Dropped As First Choice Goalkeeper (AUDIO) |url=https://www.busybuddiesng.com/inside-afcon-2019-uzoho-bares-feelings-after-being-dropped-as-first-choice-goalkeeper-audio/ |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=The Busy Buddies |language=en-GB}} In his only appearance in the competition, Uzoho kept a clean sheet against Guinea-Bissau in the group stage. His team would later be eliminated in the round of 16.

On 29 March 2022, Uzoho was in goal for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier against Ghana. He suffered criticism for his performance, as an error on his behalf led to a goal for Ghana, and ultimately cost his team entry to the World Cup.{{Cite web |title=Francis Uzoho's error cost Nigeria World Cup ticket against Ghana – Henry Nwosu |url=https://footballghana.com/francis-uzohos-error-cost-nigeria-world-cup-ticket-against-ghana-henry-nwosu |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Footballghana |language=en}} He tendered an apology, mentioning "I wanted to take my nation to Qatar but rather did the opposite".{{Cite web |date=2022-04-05 |title=World Cup howler: It's worst time of my life, says Uzoho |url=https://punchng.com/world-cup-howler-its-worst-time-of-my-life-says-uzoho/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} National teammates and ex-internationals, such as Alex Iwobi and Vincent Enyeama, showed support for Uzoho.{{Cite web |last=Eludini |first=Tunde |date=2022-04-05 |title=Enyeama, others react as Uzoho apologises for World Cup miss |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/521966-enyeama-others-react-as-uzoho-apologises-for-world-cup-miss.html |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Premium Times Nigeria |language=en-GB}}

Uzoho started five out of Nigeria's six games in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, where they topped their group.{{Cite web |title=Uzoho the Rejected Stone Returns as First Choice Goalkeeper for Eagles - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/09/27/uzoho-the-rejected-stone-returns-as-first-choice-goalkeeper-for-eagles |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Erons |first=Imhons |date=2022-11-30 |title=Uzoho, Nigeria's number one - Super Eagles coach confirms Okoye is down the pecking order - Soccernet NG |url=https://soccernet.ng/2022/11/uzoho-nigerias-number-one-super-eagles-coach-confirms-okoye-is-down-the-pecking-order.html |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=Soccernet.ng |language=en-US}} However, during the main phase of the tournament, he lost his starting place in the team to Stanley Nwabali. His only appearance at the tournament came during the match against Cameroon when Nwabali got injured and had to be substituted.{{Cite web |last=Inyang |first=Ifreke |date=2024-01-30 |title=AFCON 2023: Nwabali to miss Angola clash, Uzoho likely to start for Super Eagles |url=https://dailypost.ng/2024/01/30/afcon-2023-nwabali-to-miss-angola-clash-uzoho-likely-to-start-for-super-eagles/ |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}}

{{updated|end of 2022-23 season}}

{{notelist}}

{{updated|match played 26 March 2024}}{{NFT player|69367|Francis Uzoho|accessdate=23 June 2018}}

Omonia

• Cypriot Cup: 2021–22, 2022–23

Nigeria

• Africa Cup of Nations runner-up: 2023;{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Rob |date=11 February 2024 |title=Nigeria 1–2 Ivory Coast |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68196261 |access-date=12 February 2024 |website=BBC Sport}} third place: 2019{{cite web |date=17 July 2019 |title=Tunisia 0–1 Nigeria |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48932084 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227223831/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48932084 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |access-date=18 July 2019 |publisher=BBC}}

Orders

• 60x60px Member of the Order of the Niger{{Cite news |date=2024-02-13 |title=Afcon: Ivory Coast and Nigeria players get cash, villas and honours |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-68286543 |access-date=2024-02-24 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

{{reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{BDFutbol|21496}}
• {{LaPreferente|226303}}
• {{Soccerway|francis-uzoho/319136}}

{{AC Omonia squad}}

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{{Nigeria squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}

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{{Nigeria squad 2021 Africa Cup of Nations}}

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Category:1998 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Imo State

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