MADUKA Okoye has been recalled to the Super Eagles to replace Israel-based Adebayo Adeleye for the friendly matches against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in Portugal.
The Nigeria national team will face Saudi Arabia on Friday and Mozambique three days later, with both matches to be held in Portimao, Portugal.
Udinese goalkeeper Okoye was once Nigeria’s first choice but he lost his place after underperforming at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in 2021.
Hapoel Jerusalem goalkeeper Adeleye was originally invited for the friendly matches but the ongoing deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas, in which thousands of lives have been lost, has affected his travel plans and he is unlikely going to be able to reach Portugal.
Also, another invited goalkeeper, Enyimba’s Ojo Olorunleke, has not received his visa for Portugal, leaving Francis Uzoho as the only originally called-up shot-stopper available.
The Nigeria Football Federation had to call up a goalkeeper that could be available at short notice, and Okoye was an easy choice.
The 24-year-old Okoye, born in Germany to a Nigerian father, made his Super Eagles debut in October 2019 under Gernot Rohr and has played 16 times for the team.
However, his last appearance was in the round of 16 AFCON clash against Tunisia in Cameroon in February 2021, as his error led to the only goal with which the Super Eagles were eliminated.
He has also had a hard time at club level, making only two appearances for Watford in the whole of the 2022/2023 season before joining Udinese in Serie A in August.
Okoye is yet to see any on-field action for Udinese as he has been an unused substitute in seven matches since joining them.
