Okoye Explains AFCON Snub, Cites Fitness and Club Commitment
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has revealed the reasons behind his decision to decline Nigeria’s invitation to the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, despite the team going on to secure a third-place finish, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Speaking in an interview with German outlet Kicker, the Udinese shot-stopper explained that concerns over his fitness, form, and timing influenced his choice after a spell away from competitive action.
Okoye disclosed that he had been out for around two months due to a betting-related suspension and felt it was important to focus on regaining full match fitness at club level. He also noted that, at the time, he was not the first-choice goalkeeper for the national team, making the decision easier.
The 24-year-old added that staying back allowed him to repay the faith shown in him by Udinese during a challenging period in his career.
Okoye also highlighted concerns about the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations, pointing out that its placement within the European football calendar often puts players in difficult positions between club and country commitments.
He has since rejoined the Super Eagles squad ahead of their upcoming international friendlies in Turkey, where Éric Chelle is expected to hand him minutes as part of preparations for future competitions.
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