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Former Super Eagles goalkeeper coach lauded Maduka Okoya for the huge strides he has taken in the career, after previous setbacks.
Former Nigerian national team goalkeeping trainer Aloysius Uzoma Agu believes Maduka Okoye can become the Super Eagles' first-choice goalkeeper, but urged that the Udinese shot-stopper must bide his time, as the current number one, Stanley Nwabali, has barely put a foot wrong.
Maduka enjoyed the starting berth for a period in his Super Eagles career but soon lost the faith of the national team coaches following error-ridden performances.
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19:35 - 02.11.2024
Udinese vs Juventus: Tough night for Maduka Okoye as 'unlucky' own goal ruins outing against Old Lady
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye endured a busy night in the Serie A, conceding an own goal against Juventus.
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07:44 - 11.10.2024
Nigeria vs Libya: 'I am just waiting patiently' - Maduka Okoye aims to regain Super Eagles' No. 1 spot
Okoye was Nigeria's starting goalkeeper at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon but was sidelined for nearly two years after a costly mistake in the Round of 16 against Tunisia.
The goalkeeper position was one of worry for Nigeria with neither Okoye nor Francis Uzoho inspiring confidence. That situation saw a turnaround just before AFCON when Jose Peseiro made the bold decision to back Chippa United’s Nwabali.
An assured AFCON outing after, the former Enyimba man has both gloves firmly on the position and is expected to remain number one for the considerable future.
What Aloysius said
Maduka has overcome the difficult period in his career and is now the first-choice goalkeeper for Udinese in the Serie A, a top-five league. Given the level of opposition the former Dusseldorf man faces in Italy compared to Nwabali, who plies his trade in South Africa, there have been suggestions that the former should replace Nwabali between the sticks.
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Aloysius, who was the goalkeeper coach when Nwabali and Okoye had their debuts, praised the latter’s development and current form for Udinese. On the topic of the Super Eagles' first choice, he advised Okoye to keep his powder dry and wait his opportunity, as Nwabali has the spot nailed.
“It is difficult to take a starting spot at top European clubs, but Okoye has made it easy,” he told Tutto Udinese.
“However, Maduka cannot afford to relax; he has to continue working hard. I have always known about his talent since his time at Dusseldorf.
“I saw his potential and brought him to the national team, despite not everyone believing in him. It is not a stroke of luck that he has risen through the ranks.
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“I think he is one of the best goalkeepers in Africa, not only because of his talent but also because of a combination of factors such as age and height. I brought both him and Nwabali to the national team.
“Nwabali made his debut against Mexico in Los Angeles, while Okoye against Brazil. I coached both of them. Having two quality goalkeepers for Nigeria is important.
“At the moment, Nwabali is doing well and Okoye has to bide his time. Maduka has to play regularly and do well with Udinese so that he is ready when he gets the chance to play for Nigeria too.”
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