AUSTIN Jay Jay Okocha has made it known that he is unhappy with the treatment given to Goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye after he was omitted from the squad representing Nigeria at the 2023 AFCON.
The football legend said it was “strange” that the 24-year-old shot-stopper was not named in the list as he strongly believes that Okoye is the only one he knows with the necessary abilities to represent Nigeria at the AFCON.
“[Okoye] is the one keeper who has the type of training and football upbringing that we need in a goalkeeper in the national team. But he is excluded. It’s strange,” Okocha told BBC’s Osasu Obayiuwana.
“The way he was handled [after the Round of 16 game against Tunisia] talks about the quality of player management in the national team,” he added.
Okoye's last appearance came in the 2021 AFCON match against Tunisia, which many fault him for the loss as it sent the Super Eagles packing out of the 2021 tournament.
Frank Uzoho will be Nigeria's first choice at the AFCON and is joined by Stanley Nwabili of South African Premier Soccer League outfit Chippa United and Enyimba’s Olorunleke Ojo in Ivory Coast.
