Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has provided a detailed explanation for his decision to opt out of representing Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 26-year-old’s absence from the national team squad came as a surprise to many observers, particularly as the tournament, hosted in Morocco, was seen as an opportunity for him to reassert himself on the international stage.
Okoye, however, revealed that his decision was influenced by circumstances surrounding his career at the time. The goalkeeper had missed a significant portion of the early stages of the 2025/26 season due to a suspension tied to an alleged betting-related issue. As a result, he found himself lacking match fitness and rhythm—key qualities required to perform at a high-level competition like AFCON.
Rather than risk underperforming, the former Watford FC shot-stopper chose to remain with his Italian club, Udinese Calcio, where he could focus fully on rebuilding his sharpness and consistency.
Okoye explained that, at the time, he was not the first-choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, and it made more sense for him to work his way back into top form at club level before returning to international duty. He also stressed that loyalty played a major role in his decision, noting that Udinese stood by him during a challenging period in his career.
In his view, staying back was not just about fitness, but also about showing appreciation and commitment to the club that supported him when he needed it most.
With that difficult phase now behind him, Okoye appears ready to re-establish himself both at club and international levels. He is expected to be in contention for a starting role when the Super Eagles face Iran in an international friendly scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey.
The fixture could mark an important step in his return to the national team setup, as he looks to reclaim his place and prove his readiness to contribute to Nigeria’s future campaigns.
Should we send you latest update about your favourite sports and team?
Enter you email in the box below and hit the subscribe button to join our teaming 876+ sports community.
