Maduka Okoye Gets Super Eagles Recall Ahead Saudi Friendly

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Palestinian war with Israel led by the Hamas last Saturday has resulted in the recall of Maduka Okoye to the Nigeriian senior national team ahead of the two international friendlies with Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.

After Okoye committed careless blunders in Nigeria’s exit to Tunisia at the AFCON 2021 in Cameroon, the Udinese of Italian Serie A goalkeeper was overlooked ever since.

Even when he was invited for the international friendly with Portugal last year, he was an unused substitute.

But yesterday, when it became obvious that both Adebayo Adeleye of Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel and Olorunleke Ojo of Enyimba will not be available , Super Eagles Portuguese gaffer had to resort to calling Okoye as replacement.

Adebayo is based in Israel and will have to re-route his flight ticket no thanks to the war going on at his base, while Ojo has yet to be granted visa to enter Portugal, where the friendlies will be played Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho is currently the only goalkeeper in the Eagles training camp in Portugal.

Okoye was at a time the Super Eagles No 1 goalkeeper, but his time with the national team has been marred by costly blunders and serious threats to his person. His inactivity at English club Watford this past season also did not help his chances with the Eagles.

Meanwhile, Napoli star player, Victor Osimhen, as well as Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface are among the 20 players already in the Super Eagles training camp in Portugal ahead of friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.

Call-ups Francis Uzoho, Tyronne Ebuehi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Joe Aribo, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Jordan Torunarigha, Chidozie Awaziem and Wilfred Ndidi are also in camp.

Others in Portugal include; Samuel Chukwueze, Raphael Onyedika, Sadiq Umar, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Terem Moffi and Ademola Lookman.

Five players were still being expected; Kelechi Iheanacho, Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Adebayo Adeleye and Olorunleke Ojo as at press time.

Eagles were scheduled  to train at the gym Wednesday morning, while full training will begin by 5pm local time.

The Super Eagles will battle Saudi Arabia Friday, before they face Mozambique Monday in friendlies to prepare them for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe next month.