Maduka Okoye says he is ready to challenge Stanley Nwabali for the starting goalkeeper position in the Nigerian national team, as he looks to revive his international career through persistence and renewed form.
Stanley Nwabali has established himself as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles in recent months, having seized the opportunity following Okoye’s absence from the team.
His standout performances during Nigeria’s campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he played a key role in the team’s journey to the final, cemented his status in goal.
Okoye, who once held the number one spot, is now working to reclaim it. Speaking candidly about the current competition in camp, the Udinese shot-stopper admitted Nwabali’s rise has been well-earned but insisted he is not backing down from the fight.
“Nwabali is a very good goalkeeper and I think he deserves it,” Okoye said. “I never reached my best level with the Super Eagles, and that’s something I’ve come to terms with.
But I believe there will always be opportunities — and I must be ready when they come.”
The 24-year-old made his senior debut for Nigeria in October 2019 and has since earned 18 caps, starting in 17 of those matches.
However, a costly error in the 2021 AFCON round-of-16 match against Tunisia, which led to Nigeria’s elimination, saw him fall out of favour with the national team selectors and supporters alike.
In the months that followed, he was left out of subsequent squads, and his once-assured place in the starting XI was quickly filled by Nwabali.
Nwabali’s emergence coincided with a period of reflection for Okoye, who focused on rebuilding his confidence at club level. After moving to Serie A side Udinese, Okoye began working his way back into form, earning consistent minutes and showing signs of the promise that once made him Nigeria’s top goalkeeping prospect.
Despite the setback, Okoye insists that the competition within the national team setup is not only healthy but necessary. He believes that having multiple quality options in goal is a sign of progress for Nigerian football.
“Nigerians can be proud that we have more than one strong goalkeeper,” he said. “At this level, it’s about being ready, being consistent, and grabbing the moment when it comes. I’m focused on that.”
Okoye’s attitude reflects a mature approach to the challenge ahead. While he acknowledges that Nwabali currently deserves the starting spot, his own ambition to return to the top remains intact.
His words suggest a goalkeeper who is no longer weighed down by past mistakes but instead motivated by them.
The Super Eagles’ technical crew will no doubt view the rivalry between the two goalkeepers as a positive headache. With key qualifiers and tournaments on the horizon, Nigeria’s goalkeeping department now benefits from depth and competition — a situation that could ultimately raise standards and improve performance.
For Maduka Okoye, the road back into Nigeria’s starting eleven won’t be straightforward, but his intent is clear. As long as he continues to perform and remain patient, the opportunity to reclaim his place could come sooner than expected.
