Fortuna Dusseldorf Block German-Nigerian Goalkeeper From Nigeria Debut Against Libya

Published: March 16, 2019

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Fortuna Dusseldorf glovesman Maduka Okoye is no more in contention to make his international debut for Nigeria when the Olympic Eagles tackle Libya in an U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on March 20.

The Bundesliga outfit are playing spoil sport by deciding not to release Okoye to the Nigeria Football Federation for the two matches against the North Africans in Tunisia and Asaba.

The Düsseldorf native had been out of action for three months due to an undisclosed ailment but his injury problems are behind him as he made his first appearance in the Regionalliga West in 2019 as Fortuna Düsseldorf II were held to a 2-2 draw by Borussia Mönchengladbach II on Saturday.

Okoye pulled off a world-class save to deny the opponents from scoring a certain goal from close range in the 62nd minute.

Fortuna Düsseldorf have given him assurances that he will be permitted to link up with the Nigeria U23s in May, if they qualify for the third round of qualifiers as expected.

The 1.97 meters tall goalkeeper does not need to apply for a one-time change of association because he has not been capped by his country of birth, Germany.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : instagram.com/madukaokoye