Super Eagles anointed number 1 Okoye looking forward to playing against Republic of Benin

Published: March 23, 2021

Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr has proclaimed that Sparta Rotterdam rookie goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is his first choice goalkeeper heading into his team's last two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

That decision by the German football tactician saw experienced duo Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa miss out on selection for the games against the Republic of Benin and Lesotho.

Born in Germany to a Nigerian father and German mother, Okoye was recommended to Rohr by the former Fortuna Düsseldorf sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel.

The 21-year-old, who has started the national team's last four matches, came in for some stick after conceding four goals on his competitive debut for the Super Eagles against Sierra Leone but defied his critics by keeping a clean sheet four days later in Freetown.

Okoye says he is looking forward to Saturday's game against the Squirrels and is targeting a win.

"I'm looking forward to the game because I'm always honoured to represent my country and I'm trying to help the team and to get the win of course," Okoye told reporters.

Okoye reported for Super Eagles duty full of confidence, having picked the ball out of his own net just once in his last three matches for Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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