Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is prime to play his first game for the senior national team of Nigeria when they play in the AFCON qualifiers on the 14th and 18th of November against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Barring a last minute change of mind, interim coach Austine Eguavoen has concluded plans to field the 25 year old in one of the two games with newly installed number one Stanley Nwabali set to be given a rest in one of the games.
Super Eagles are one point away from sealing a spot at the AFCON with CAF awarding them three points, three goals for the abandoned game against Libya after they were left stranded at the airport 18 hours upon arrival in Libya for the reverse tie of their 1-0 win in Uyo.
They could wrap up their spot with a draw against Benin Republic on the 14th of November, and if they happened Okoye will be in goal for their final game of the series against Rwanda in Uyo, per what we exclusively gathered.
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It will be the first time that the former number one will be in goal since the quarter final AFCON defeat in the hands of Tunisia in 2022, more than two years ago.
The subject of harsh criticism on social media, he decided to take a break from the team citing threats to his life as he was roundly blamed for his error in the defeat to Tunisia. A few months ago he confirmed his readiness to return to the team and since then have been involved as back up to Nwabali, but all that could change later this month.
Eguavoen sees it as a way for rewarding him for his fine form for Udinese and also keep Nwabali on his toes as the team in order to spark competition for spots, which he believe will bring out the best in all positions with options available.
