The decision to leave Maduka Okoye out of the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was taken after a discussion between the player, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and his team Udinese, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.
Okoye was a surprise omission from the squad for the tournament with the trio of Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Amass Obasogie picked by head coach Eric Chelle for the tournament in Morocco.
Like we exclusively reported Okoye was left out after head coach Eric Chelle failed to confirm if he will be the first choice at the tournament. However with first choice Stanley Nwabali given the green light to be at the tournament after overcoming a fitness concern, Chelle made it clear that Nwabali still remains his first choice.
Udinese wrote to the NFF to ask for reprieve for Okoye who is their first choice to remain with them for the period of the AFCON, rather than sit on the bench for the three weeks the tournament will run.
NFF granted their request, but reached an agreement that if Nwabali is passed unfit for the tournament regardless of how late then Okoye will be called up. A clause that is dependent on if Chelle sees him as a better option ahead of the two back ups to Nwabali.
A source at the NFF said if the football body had not agreed to the proposal, NFF can write to FIFA and Okoye will be suspended from playing for Udinese for the period of the tournament since it’s a FIFA recognised tournament, and clubs are under obligation to make them available.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
