Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has explained the absence of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from the national team camp ahead of today’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.
Okoye is not yet with the squad in Uyo after being granted permission to remain with his club to attend to club-related matters.
Chelle confirmed that Udinese made a request concerning the goalkeeper and he agreed to release him from the national team engagement.
‘Maduka Okoye is not here. His club asked me to allow him to do some club-related activities and I agreed,’ Chelle said. ‘He isn’t here now, so I have to manage the situation.’
Okoye’s absence leaves Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo as the two available goalkeepers in the Super Eagles camp for the opening Group L encounter against the Barea of Madagascar.
Nwabali has been Nigeria’s regular first-choice goalkeeper in recent international assignments before he became clueless in February this year. He recently re-joined his estranged club, Chippa United, while Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Okonkwo provides Chelle with another option between the posts.
Okonkwo made his senior international debut for Nigeria during the Unity Cup in London in May and will be hoping for another opportunity if called upon.
The Super Eagles will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, today as they begin their quest for a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
With co-hosts Tanzania already guaranteed a place at the tournament, Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau are effectively competing for the other qualification ticket available from Group L.