Breaking: At last, Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye arrives Uyo for AFCON 2027 qualifier

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, after he became the only invited player yet to report to camp as his teammates commenced preparations earlier in the week.

Reports on Thursday confirmed that Okoye had landed in Nigeria before making his way to the team’s base in Uyo. Blueprint reports

His arrival comes just a day before Nigeria’s crucial Group L encounter with Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, bringing to an end several days of uncertainty over the goalkeeper’s whereabouts and availability for the opening fixture.

Okoye completes Super Eagles squad

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, allowing Chelle to begin working with virtually his entire group. Okoye’s absence subsequently attracted considerable attention because of the proximity of the Madagascar fixture.

The goalkeeper’s eventual arrival means Chelle now has all three selected goalkeepers available as he makes his final decisions ahead of Friday’s encounter.

Chelle explains goalkeeper’s late arrival

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.

The clarification is significant because Okoye’s absence had generated questions as the rest of the squad went through tactical and physical preparations for the opening qualifier.

With the goalkeeper now in camp, attention will shift from his delayed arrival to his readiness and whether Chelle considers him sufficiently prepared to feature against Madagascar.

Nwabali, Okoye face goalkeeping decision

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 after arriving alongside Ndidi and Chukwueze.

Okonkwo, meanwhile, is another option available to Chelle after earning his place in the squad following his recent involvement with the national team.

Okoye therefore joins a goalkeeping department containing three players competing for one starting position. The final decision will rest with Chelle and his technical crew based on training, fitness, tactical requirements and their assessment of the opposition.

Nigeria face Madagascar in crucial opener

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.

Chelle has already stressed the importance of starting the qualification campaign strongly, with the Super Eagles also scheduled to face Guinea-Bissau away on September 29.

Nigeria’s group is unusual because Tanzania, one of the three tournament co-hosts, is also in Group L and has an automatic place at the finals. Consequently, only the highest-ranked non-host nation from the group will secure the additional qualifying ticket.

That makes every point potentially significant for Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau as they battle for the available qualifying place.

Osimhen absence adds pressure on Eagles

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.

The Super Eagles still have several attacking players available, including Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

The absence of Osimhen places additional emphasis on the collective contribution of the available forwards as Nigeria seek to make a positive start.

Okoye returns focus to football

Okoye’s delayed arrival had also generated considerable discussion on social media after footage emerged of the goalkeeper at Milan Fashion Week, where he was seen with American rapper Cardi B.

The images prompted criticism from some Nigerian fans because the goalkeeper had yet to report to the Super Eagles camp. However, the national team’s media team subsequently stated that he had been granted permission to attend to family and personal matters.

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.

Super Eagles seek winning start

Nigeria will be expected to approach the Madagascar encounter with the objective of securing maximum points before travelling to Bissau for the second qualifying fixture against Guinea-Bissau.

Madagascar, meanwhile, arrived in Uyo ahead of the encounter and have indicated that they are prepared for the challenge against the three-time African champions.

The Super Eagles’ preparations have therefore reached their final stage, with the arrival of Okoye completing the squad and leaving Chelle with the task of selecting his starting XI.

For Nigeria, the immediate objective is straightforward: begin the AFCON 2027 qualification campaign with a victory and establish an early position in the race for the sole non-host qualification place available in Group L.