Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has finally arrived in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, ahead of Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture against Madagascar on Friday. The Udinese goalkeeper’s arrival completes the Super Eagles’ 24-man squad for the opening double-header of the qualifying campaign. Okoye had been the only invited player yet to report to camp as his teammates commenced preparations earlier in the week.
Okoye was among the three goalkeepers named by head coach Éric Chelle in the original 24-man squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, alongside Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo. While 23 players had already reported to camp and taken part in the team’s first full training session, Okoye remained the only absentee. Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and Nwabali were the final players to join the squad earlier in the week.
Chelle has since provided an explanation for Okoye’s delayed arrival, saying the goalkeeper was granted permission to attend to family and personal matters before joining the national team. The explanation was also consistent with an earlier statement from the Super Eagles’ media team, which said Okoye was expected to arrive on Thursday after receiving permission to deal with family and personal matters.
Okoye’s arrival has also intensified the competition for the starting goalkeeper’s position. Nwabali, who has been a regular choice for the Super Eagles in recent competitive fixtures, was already in camp and participated in the team’s preparations. Okonkwo, meanwhile, is another option available to Chelle after earning his place in the squad following his recent involvement with the national team.
Nigeria will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, September 25, in their first Group L fixture of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign. The match represents the beginning of Nigeria’s attempt to secure a place at the continental tournament scheduled to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2027.
Nigeria will enter Friday’s encounter without Victor Osimhen, who was initially named in Chelle’s squad but was subsequently ruled out after suffering a right thigh/adductor muscle injury while playing for Galatasaray. Taiwo Awoniyi was brought into the squad as his replacement, giving Chelle another experienced option in attack.
With Okoye now in Uyo, the immediate focus is on football and Friday’s encounter with Madagascar. The goalkeeper will have limited time to integrate into the final stages of the team’s preparations, but Chelle has already worked extensively with the rest of the squad and will now assess Okoye alongside Nwabali and Okonkwo.
Key points
- Maduka Okoye has arrived in Uyo, completing the Super Eagles' 24-man squad for the AFCON 2027 qualifier against Madagascar.
- The Super Eagles will face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday, September 25.
- Nigeria will be without Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out with a right thigh/adductor muscle injury.
