Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle has explained the absence of Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from the team's camp ahead of Nigeria's upcoming AFCON qualifier against Mozambique on Friday.
The former Watford goalkeeper was among the goalkeepers invited to represent Nigeria for the encounter alongside Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo.
However, Okoye's absence sparked controversy after he failed to report to camp despite the team beginning preparations for the qualifiers on Tuesday.
The situation generated further attention during the week after the Nigerian goalkeeper was spotted in a viral video at a nightclub in Milan with American rapper Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, popularly known as Cardi B.
Speaking during his press conference on Thursday, Chelle revealed that Okoye is currently away from the national team camp after his club requested permission for the goalkeeper to attend to some club-related activities.
"The goalkeeper is not here," Chelle explained. "His club asked me to allow him do some club related activities and I agreed. Now, I have to manage the situation."
Okoye also missed Thursday evening's training session and is now expected to be unavailable for the clash at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Adeyemi Adewale
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