Super Eagles goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has described his return to the national team as a huge relief after being named in Nigeria’s final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Uzoho has been absent from the Super Eagles setup for an extended period following the emergence of Stanley Nwabali as the team’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. His inclusion in both the expanded 55-man provisional list and the final AFCON squad came as a surprise to many observers.
Speaking after arriving at the Super Eagles’ camp in Cairo, Egypt, Uzoho said the call-up filled him with overwhelming joy and emotion.
“I was filled with joy, a joy I cannot express,” Uzoho said in an interview with the team’s media unit. “It was a relief to know that I am coming back to be with the boys and to have that same feeling we used to have before and to represent Nigeria, which is the most important thing.”
The goalkeeper also opened up about what he missed most during his time away from the national team, stressing the strong bond among the players.
“I missed quite a lot. I think I missed the boys, to be honest,” he said. “I missed the vibe in the camp because we’ve been together for a long time. The most noticeable thing I missed is the boys.”
Uzoho added that although he stayed in touch with teammates while away, returning to camp brought back a familiar sense of unity.
“We do chat once in a while; we check up on each other. I have colleagues I’m quite close to, but in general, I do reach out to the boys,” he said.
The Super Eagles are continuing their preparations in Cairo as they build towards AFCON 2025, with Uzoho hoping to make the most of his opportunity back in the national team setup.
