Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has said he wants to resume duties with the Nigeria national team after a long absence.
Okoye didn’t appear with the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup, which ended recently in Cote d’Ivoire, where Nigeria finished as the runners-up after losing 2-1 in the final to the hosts.
Okoye excused himself from international football after his poor showing in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon two years ago.
“I’m very well now. I feel 100 per cent. The national team is an important thing for me and I want to return as soon as possible.” Okoye told Udinese website.
“It was hard watching the Africa Cup of Nations from home, but this is football.” Okoye added.
The Super Eagles have passed through goalkeeping crisis as Francis Uzoho couldn’t impress over the last few years while Okoye also disappointed in AFCON 2021 especially in the Round 16 game where Nigeria lost to Tunisia.
The German-born goalie received a lot of bashing from Nigerians following that loss as he opted out of World Cup 2022 playoffs against Ghana where the Black Stars beat Super Eagles to the ticket.
Okoye has missed out in the Nigeria squad for almost 2 years after his last game in AFCON 2021.
Stanley Nwabali, who plays for Chippa United in South Africa, stepped in as the number one of the Super Eagles in AFCON 2023 where he made his international debut and massively improved the goalkeeping department.
Okoye will face a tough competition in his quest to be the number one goalkeeper spot if he returns because of Nwabali’s great exploits.
