The reason behind the omission of on loan Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo from the Super Eagles squad for the world cup qualifiers games against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively has been made known to OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Okonkwo caught the eyes during his loan spell with English League Two side Wrexham as he picked up 14 clean sheets to power them to promotion to the League One. He was voted the team’s beat player last season and also won the award of the best goalkeeper in the English third tier.
With his deal at Arsenal set to expire in the summer and no talks over an extension the 22 year old has already said his goodbye to the team he joined at the age of 14. His next destination is yet to be known just like his international future.
Eligible for Nigeria and England but yet to be capped by any of the countries at any level, he was said to have completed a switch of nationality to Nigeria, but he denied the report it hence the decision to leave him out of the squad.
The new coach of the Super Eagles is a huge admirer of Okonkwo but won’t rush him into making a decision on his international future after his claims that he is undecided. “I’m still really ambitious to play at the international level. I can still play for England or Nigeria, and I’ve not made a choice yet,” he told The Mirror.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
