Nigeria international and Udinese first choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been rated among the best African goalkeepers in the African continent, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Okoye has made the number one spot of Napoli his since the turn of the year and this season he has so far played in all of their games. A remarkable rise for the 25 year old who struggled to get game time at English Championship side Watford around two years ago.
Former Nigeria international goalkeeper Alloy Agu, who was with the team as trainer when Okoye had his breakthrough said his faith in Okoye didn’t subside even when he was having a difficult time at some point. Rating him as one of the best in Africa.
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“It is difficult to take a starting spot at top European clubs, but Okoye has made it easy. However, Maduka cannot afford to relax, he must continue to work hard. I have always known about his talent since his time at Dusseldorf. I saw his potential and brought him to the national team, despite not everyone believing in him. It is not a stroke of luck that he has risen through the ranks. I think he is one of the best African goalkeepers, not only because of his talent but also because of a combination of factors such as age and height”, he was quoted as saying by SportsBoom.
On if Okoye has done enough to displace Nwabali who has been first choice since the AFCON in January, where the team went all the way to the final before losing 1-2 to host Cote d’Ivoire, Agu said it’s a good headache for any coach to have two very good goalkeepers.
” I brought both him and Nwabali to the national team. Nwabali made his debut against Mexico in Los Angeles, while Okoye against Brazil. I coached both of them. Having two quality goalkeepers for Nigeria is important. At the moment, Nwabali is doing well and Okoye has to bide his time. Maduka must play regularly and do well with Udinese, so that he will be ready when he gets the chance to play for Nigeria too”.
