AFCON 2023: Okocha shocked at Okoye’s exclusion from Nigeria’s squad
The young shot-stopper is the only Nigerian goalkeeper playing in Europe’s top five divisions, yet he will not participate in the continental championships.
Austin Okocha, a Super Eagles legend, has expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye by the Nigeria Football Federation and national team officials.
Okoye was Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon, where the team won all three group stage games.
But the Super Eagles were defeated 1-0 by struggling Tunisia in the first knockout round, with Okoye blamed for allowing the opponents to score a long-range winner.
The youngster has not featured for Nigeria since, with head coach Jose Peseiro sticking to Frank Uzoho as his number one for the past one and a half years.
In his choice of three goalkeepers for the 2023 AFCON, Peseiro went with Cyprus-based Uzoho, South Africa-based Stanley Nwabili, and Nigeria-based Olorunleke Ojo.
Okocha is surprised that the Portuguese tactician will snub the only Nigerian goalkeeper playing for a team in Europe’s top five leagues.
The former PSG and Bolton Wanderers playmaker bemoans how Okoye was managed following his howler against Tunisia.
With Okoye being nurtured in Germany and the Netherlands, Okocha believes it is a mistake that he is not in Nigeria’s squad for the AFCON.
Uzoho is on course to be Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper at the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Omonia Nicosia goalie was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where the Super Eagles lost two and won one of their three group games.
