Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has joined the Super Eagles camp in Ikot Ekpene ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper arrived in Uyo on Friday morning, completing the squad available to head coach Éric Chelle for the qualifiers.
Okoye’s late arrival had raised questions in the build-up to Nigeria’s opening Group C fixture against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.
Chelle, however, explained on Thursday that the goalkeeper had been granted permission to remain with Udinese to attend to club-related matters.
“His club asked me to allow him to take care of some club-related activities, and I agreed. Now, I have to manage the situation,” Chelle told journalists.
Although Okoye has now linked up with the squad, he is not expected to feature in Friday’s encounter against Madagascar.
His arrival nevertheless gives Chelle the full complement of the 24 players invited for Nigeria’s qualifying campaign.
The Super Eagles will subsequently face Guinea-Bissau as they begin their bid to secure qualification for the 2027 AFCON.
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