The senior national team of Nigeria is currently battling a crisis in the area of goakeepers with the suspension of first choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho following his second booking in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.
Uzoho was booked in the 1-0 away win over Guinea Bissau ruling him out of the next game against Sierra Leone, which a win will see Nigeria seal a spot at next year Africa Cup of Nations.
As the debate continues on who will be his replacement, one player who hasn’t been mentioned in the mix is former number one Maduka Okoye, no thanks to his lack of action at English Championship side Watford.
Okoye joined the Championship side in the summer but has struggled established himself in the set up, so bad that he hasn’t made the match day squad for the last five games in the league. He has only played in two cup games since his move.
However, he was honoured at his former Dutch Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam with the title of player of the season owning to his feat last season where he played a huge role in ensuring that they maintained their top flight status.
Last season the 23 year old was between the sticks in 30 league games keeping seven clean sheets in the process. That he was key to their survival made the club to pick him as their player and during their 1-3 loss to Feyenoord. He was presented with the award.
Damian Waziri
