Nigeria goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is facing an uncertain future under head coach Eric Chelle after being overlooked for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Tanzania, according to PUNCH Sports Extra, ABNTV reports.
Okoye’s omission has brought renewed attention to his commitment to the national team, particularly after he arrived in Uyo on the morning of Nigeria’s opening qualifier against Madagascar in September, having been the last player to report to camp.
The Super Eagles will face Tanzania in Uyo on Friday before travelling to Zanzibar for the return fixture four days later, with Chelle opting for Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Arthur Okonkwo as his goalkeeping options.
Nigeria are second in Group L with three points from two matches, having beaten Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo before suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau. With Tanzania already qualified for the tournament as co-hosts, only one additional ticket is available from the group, leaving the Super Eagles under pressure to collect maximum points.
Former Super Eagles midfielder Victor Ikpeba also stressed the importance of discipline and punctuality, arguing that players must respect the demands of international duty.
“Competitions bring the best from players. Discipline is very key. A player that comes a day before the match, people are still asking why he is not invited. I was there before, in the 90s, nobody comes a day to the match, you stay at home,” Ikpeba said on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football.
Olawale Adigun, a sports broadcaster, backed Chelle’s decision to leave Okoye out, insisting that no player should take his place in the national team for granted.
“Nothing is assured with the national team. It was important for Eric Chelle to make a statement, and that was not calling him up, which I am supportive of. In Nwabali, we have a goalkeeper who has shown over the years that he could do the job,” Adigun said on the Social Plus Podcast.
