Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye missed the Super Eaglesu2019 opening training session in Uyo on Wednesday as Nigeria began preparations for their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.
Key Highlights
- Maduka Okoye was absent as 23 Super Eagles players trained in Uyo.
- The Udinese goalkeeper was granted permission to attend to family and personal matters.
- Okoye is expected to join the squad on Thursday, September 24.
- Nigeria will face Madagascar on Friday, September 25, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
- Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo remain available as Nigeriau2019s other goalkeeping options.
- The Super Eagles will face Guinea-Bissau in their next Group L fixture on September 29.
Okoye was one of 24 players invited by head coach u00c9ric Chelle for the qualifying campaign, but he was the only member of the squad yet to arrive in camp as the other 23 players took part in the teamu2019s first training session.
According to Super Eagles media officer Promise Efoghe, Okoye was granted permission to attend to family and personal matters and is expected to join the squad on Thursday.
His arrival is expected just one day before Nigeriau2019s opening Group L qualifier against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25.
The goalkeeperu2019s absence has attracted attention because of his recent involvement with the national team and his inclusion in Chelleu2019s squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
However, there has been no official indication that Okoye has been dropped, suspended or ruled out of the Madagascar encounter.
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Speculation Over Whereabouts
Social media footage purportedly showing Okoye with American rapper Cardi B in Milan has also generated speculation about his whereabouts. However, the official explanation from the Super Eagles camp remains that the goalkeeper was away attending to family and personal matters.
Okoye is expected to join the rest of the squad on Thursday as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the crucial Group L encounter.
Chelle still has Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo available in camp as he assesses his goalkeeping options ahead of Fridayu2019s fixture.
Following the Madagascar clash, Nigeria will travel for another Group L encounter against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.
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