Maduka Okoye: Super Eagles goalkeeper reveals why he didn’t play at the AFCON

Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has revealed why he opted against participating in the AFCON 2025 tournament with Nigeria, Afrik Foot reports.

The 26-year-old wasn’t on Chelle’s AFCON squad list, which raised several eyebrows, with many wondering whether the goalkeeper intentionally pulled out or whether the coach didn’t include him.

However, he’s clarified the situation. While Okoye didn’t travel to Morocco with the rest of his national teammates, he also missed three weeks of club football due to a red card he picked up in Udinese’s 1-5 loss to Fiorentina.

Why Maduka Okoye opted out of the AFCON 2025 tournament

Stanley Nwabali, despite nursing wrist and ankle injuries, was the man between the sticks for six of Nigeria’s seven AFCON games.

Risky? Yes. But the former Enyimba goalkeeper came up trumps in the big games, especially against Morocco and Egypt, denying the opponents from twelve yards when it mattered.

In a recent interview with Kicker, Okoye revealed he chose not to go for the AFCON because he knew he wouldn’t be the starting goalkeeper.

“Given that I was not Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, I believed it was better to stay at Udinese, work on my form and also show appreciation to the club for being by my side during a difficult time,” the former Watford goalkeeper said.

Okoye is now hoping he’ll use the March International break to seal a starting spot for Eric Chelle’s side moving forward.