Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has reportedly handed the number one shirt to Francis Uzoho ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming international fixtures, with Stanley Nwabali’s clubless status ending his long run as the team’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper, Footynaija.com reports.
Nwabali had been Nigeria’s go-to goalkeeper for over two years, a status he rightly earned at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where he kept four consecutive clean sheets and broke a 44-year record for Super Eagles goalkeepers.
He reinforced that standing at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, where his penalty save against Egypt’s Mohamed Salah in the bronze medal match helped Nigeria to a third-place finish.
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However, he terminated his contract with South African club Chippa United in February, with six months still remaining on his deal, admitting he had no new club lined up when he made the decision to leave. As confirmed by Brila FM, that gamble is understood to have cost him his place.
Uzoho steps up
Uzoho, 26, plays for Omonia Nicosia in the Cypriot First Division and was Nwabali’s backup at the last two tournaments. He is familiar with the setup and has Chelle’s trust, which counts for a lot given the NFF’s preference for discipline and availability above all else.
The Omonia goalkeeper may not have the jersey to himself for long, though, with Wrexham’s Arthur Okonkwo set to join the squad following his nationality switch from England, adding a third serious option to what is quickly becoming one of the most competitive positions in the Super Eagles setup.
Maduka Okoye, who plays for Udinese in Serie A, is also in the picture in theory but it remains to be seen if Chelle has forgiven him for declining an AFCON call-up after being reportedly told he would not be guaranteed the starting spot.
