DESPITE being shortlisted in the team list for the 2023 AFCON qualifier, Nigeria No.1 short stopper, Maduka Okoye, was absent against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.
The 22 years old Goalkeeper's absence saw Francis Uzoho step up and take charge of the game as the team won Sierra Leone 2-1 at Abuja National Stadium before they hammered Sao Tome 10-0 in their second fixture at Stade Adrar in Morocco.
Goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu, explains the absence of the former Sparta Rotterdam shot stopper.
"He [Okoye] was not in the team in their last two games before we came on board, but he was called up for the friendlies in the USA,” Shorunmu said as quoted by Punch.
“But the secretary of the team sent me a message he received through a friend that he [Okoye] wanted to be excused for the games as he wanted to focus on settling in at his new club which I rightly understand.
“He is at a new club and he needs to prove himself well with the new coach at the club, unlike when he was with his former team where he knew the terrain better.
“I have been in such situations before when I changed club so I understand what he is going through but we hope to have him back in the team in September for the next Afcon qualifiers.”
Okoye, who now plays for Watfrod Football Club in the Championship,last featured for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the Round of 16 fixture at the 2021 AFCON tournament in Cameroon which saw the Super Eagles of Nigeria lose 1-0 to Tunisia.
