Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye’s late arrival in camp ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Madagascar has prompted debate over whether he should start the match. Sports enthusiast Dayo Awoniyi said the delay should not disrupt preparations and urged the technical crew to consider goalkeepers who had been in camp earlier.
Key Highlights
- Maduka Okoye arrived late in Super Eagles camp ahead of the Madagascar qualifier.
- Awoniyi advised against immediately starting Okoye and pointed to other goalkeeping options.
- Awoniyi said Okoye’s delay was due to challenges communicated to football authorities.
- Head coach Éric Chelle said Okoye’s club asked for permission for club-related activities, which he granted.
- Awoniyi backed Nigeria to win and predicted a 3-0 result.
- Journalist A. Oluwole Francis urged the players to focus on the match and set aside NFF controversies.
Awoniyi Questions Immediate Start for Okoye
Awoniyi told The Trumpet on Friday that Okoye’s late arrival should not necessarily disrupt Nigeria’s preparations, but said the technical crew should consider goalkeepers who had been in camp earlier.
“As a coach, I will not throw Maduka Okoye into the fray right now. I will allow other goalkeepers, the likes of the Chippa United goalkeeper, to come in and be between the sticks,” Awoniyi said.
He stressed that Okoye’s delayed arrival should not be interpreted as deliberate. Awoniyi said the goalkeeper faced “one or two challenges” that were reportedly communicated to the relevant football authorities.
“Maduka Okoye coming, I think it was not a deliberate act. It was due to one or two reasons and communicated ahead of time to the people in charge of our football,” he said.
Chelle Says Okoye Had Club Permission
Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle said Okoye’s club asked him to allow the goalkeeper to handle club-related activities, and that he agreed. “His club asked me to allow him to take care of some club-related activities, and I agreed. Now, I have to manage the situation,” Chelle told journalists in Uyo.
With Okoye’s timing raising questions about the starting position, the technical crew has Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo among its other options. Complete Sports reported Chelle’s explanation.
Late Arrival Should Not Affect Nigeria’s Result
Awoniyi said Okoye’s late arrival should not become an excuse for Nigeria to drop points against Madagascar.
“Coming here to camp shouldn’t be an excuse for us not winning today’s match,” he said.
He backed the Super Eagles to win, pointing to the quality and current form of several Nigerian players at their clubs. Awoniyi predicted a 3-0 victory but said controversies surrounding Nigerian football administration should not distract the team.
“I’ve not seen any leadership controversy affecting our players because they are professionals,” he said, adding that the players should remain focused on their responsibilities on the pitch.
Journalist Urges Super Eagles to Ignore NFF Controversies
Sports journalist A. Oluwole Francis also called on the Super Eagles to use the AFCON qualifier as an opportunity to rebuild confidence in Nigerian football.
Francis urged the players to concentrate on the match rather than controversies surrounding the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). While acknowledging that federation problems could have an impact, he said the players should ensure the issues do not affect their performance.
“The players should go out there and play their football. Forget about what happened in the Federation. They should go there and play their match and make the game happy again,” Francis said.
Super Eagles Face Goalkeeping Decision
Okoye’s late arrival has become another talking point ahead of Nigeria’s Group L qualifier in Uyo. Awoniyi’s comments have raised the question of whether a goalkeeper who arrived late should immediately return to the starting lineup, while Chelle’s explanation provides context on the delay.
The final decision on who starts in goal rests with the Super Eagles’ technical crew.
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