The calls for Maduka Okoye to be made the first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers games against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively has drawn a reaction from one of the players of the team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Okoye has been in scintillating form for Udinese in the Italian Serie A this season building on his strong finish to last season with another strings of saves after 12 games in the league this season.
Back with the Super Eagles, he lost his number one spot to Francis Uzoho in 2022 following his decision to take a break from the team largely due to the criticism he suffered for his role in the 0-1 defeat Nigeria suffered in the round of 16 at the AFCON to Tunisia. He was roundly blamed for the decisive goal of the game.
Uzoho was also dropped to the bench for the AFCON at the start of this year with Stanley Nwabali cementing his spot as they made it all the way to the final of the AFCON, where they were beaten 1-2 by the host Cote d’Ivoire.
Nwabali has kept his spot, but there are calls for Eguavoen to drop the Chippa United goalkeeper for Okoye who plays in a league highly rated than where the present number one plays, and currently holds the title of the only Nigerian goalkeeper in a top five league.
However about four players who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity said Nwabali currently has the faith of the entire team, hence should continue in his role as defending as a team requires confidence in who is behind the stick.
Although they also agreed that a positive result in Thursday’s game against Benin Republic should see Okoye return back in goal for the dead rubber clash against Rwanda in Uyo on the 18th of November
