Ten Hag praises Uzoho, accepts photo request after Nigerian goalie’s Europa League heroics

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Manchester United's manager Erik Ten Hag poses for a photo with Omonia's Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho after the UEFA Europa League Group E football match between Manchester United and Omonoia Nicosia, at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on October 13, 2022. - Man Utd won the game 1-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea (R) congratulates Omonia's Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (L) after the UEFA Europa League Group E football match between Manchester United and Omonoia Nicosia, at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on October 13, 2022. - Man Utd won the game 1-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Omonia's Northern Irish coach Neil Lennon (L) congratulates Omonia's Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (R) after the UEFA Europa League Group E football match between Manchester United and Omonoia Nicosia, at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on October 13, 2022. - Man Utd won the game 1-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Omonia's Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (C) and teammates react to their defeat on the pitch after the UEFA Europa League Group E football match between Manchester United and Omonoia Nicosia, at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on October 13, 2022. - Man Utd won the game 1-0. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Omonia's Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (R) shares a joke with Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo (L) during the UEFA Europa League Group E football match between Manchester United and Omonoia Nicosia, at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on October 13, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Omonia's Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho (R) holds onto the ball after saving a shot from Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo (L) during the UEFA Europa League Group E football match between Manchester United and Omonoia Nicosia, at Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on October 13, 2022. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

*Super Eagles goalkeeper says “it’s a dream come true” to play at Old Trafford

Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho asked Erik ten Hag for a photo following his heroic performance in the Cypriot’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

Uzoho produced an outstanding performance between the sticks, pulling off a string of fine saves. He looked like he might be the difference between United getting one point and all three, only for Scott McTominay to net a stoppage time winner.

The Nigerian international pulled off a plethora of outstanding stops, denying the likes of Marcus Rashford and Casemiro in the first half, before producing an excellent double save right at the start of the second half, keeping out efforts from Antony and Rashford. It was a truly stunning performance.

Although, in the end, his side had nothing to show for his efforts, except immense pride for restricting United for so long, Uzoho could barely wipe the smile from his face at the full-time whistle. Such was the quality of his performance.

The 23-year-old is a United fan and had clearly made it his mission to impress the Old Trafford crowd.

Following the match, Omonia boss Neil Lennon brought Uzoho along with him to his post-match press conference and waxed lyrical about his performance. As they were leaving the press conference room, Ten Hag was waiting outside, readying himself to face the assembled media.

Uzoho plucked up the courage to ask Ten Hag for a quick picture, and the Dutchman obliged. They also shook hands.

Revealing what he said to him in their brief conversation, Ten Hag said: “I said ‘well done’. He had many, many saves, so many clear goals were not in, so he kept them in the game.”

Summing up an unforgettable evening, Uzoho, speaking in a post-match TV interview, said: “I am not disappointed, because we had a good game, but we would have preferred to have got at least a point. It is a dream come true to play here. I have dreamt about it for a long, long time.”