Maduka Okoye has finally opened up about his long-awaited return to the Super Eagles, marking his first appearance in two years.
Tasked with guarding the posts in Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Rwanda in the final Group D game of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, Okoye stepped in for Stanley Nwabali, who was unavailable due to a personal tragedy, Footballrover reports.
This was a crucial moment for the Udinese goalkeeper, whose last outing for the Eagles ended in heartbreak against Tunisia in the 2021 AFCON round of 16.
For Okoye, the clash against Rwanda wasn’t just another game—it was a chance to silence critics and remind fans of his capabilities.
Maduka Okoye’s resilient return to Super Eagles starting XI: A moment of honour and challenge
Instead, the defeat reignited online outrage, with some frustrated supporters branding him as a basket and questioning his growth.
Speaking through his Instagram page, the goalie said,
“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.”
It’s worth noting that the loss didn’t shake Nigeria’s qualification hopes—they had already booked their ticket to AFCON 2025 as group winners, comfortably amassing 11 points from six matches.
Back to club duties, Okoye will quickly shift gears as Udinese prepare for their upcoming Serie A clash with Empoli.
Whether in Italy or donning the green and white, all eyes will be on the shot-stopper to see if he can truly redeem himself.
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