Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has expressed his delight at returning to action for Nigeria, despite their 2-1 defeat to Rwanda on Monday.
The 25-year-old shot-stopper, now with Serie A side Udinese, described the opportunity to wear the national jersey again as a profound honor.
“Despite the result, I’m more than happy and grateful to have played in this jersey again. It has always been, it is, and it will forever be an honour to represent Nigeria,” Okoye shared on X.
Okoye made his Super Eagles debut in 2019, stepping into the spotlight as Nigeria sought a successor to legendary goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama. Initially hailed as a refreshing addition to the squad, his performances were inconsistent, and a costly error in Nigeria’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations campaign led to their elimination.
Despite the result I’m more than happy and grateful to have played in this jersey again!
It has always been, it is and it will forever be an honour to represent Nigeria pic.twitter.com/uzyxxMP80v— Maduka Okoye (@OkoyeMaduka) November 21, 2024
The backlash was severe that Okoye temporarily deactivated his social media accounts and excused himself from the National team.
Struggles followed at the club level, with a tough spell at Watford in the English Championship, where he rarely featured.
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However, a move to Udinese in Serie A marked a turnaround, giving him a fresh platform to rebuild his career.
A personal tragedy to Stanley Nwabali during the last international break—losing his father which forced the Chippa United shot-stopper to leave the Super Eagles camp, created a rare opportunity for Okoye to return to the starting lineup.
Maduka Okoye delivered a solid performance in the match against Rwanda in Uyo, though the second goal he conceded drew criticism.
Okoye faces an uphill battle to reclaim the No. 1 jersey from Nwaibali whose form remains a significant hurdle.