'It was hard watching AFCON from home' - Udinese GK Okoye makes himself available for Super Eagles recall 

Former Watford shot-stopper Maduka Okoye is eyeing a recall to the Super Eagles after missing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Okoye hasn't featured for Nigeria since committing a howler in a round of 16 clash against Tunisia at the 2021 AFCON which led to the country's exit from the tournament.

Not until recently, the 24-year-old had also been struggling for game time at club level, making just two appearances for Watford in all competitions before leaving for Udinese last summer.

He couldn't break into the starting lineup of the Serie A outfit at the start of the season but has worked his way into the plans of the manager, Gabriele Cioffi, having been named as the first-choice goalkeeper in the last nine league matches.

He was recently named in the Serie A Team of the Week for his impressive performance against Juventus, with the White and Blacks stunning the Italian giants by a solitary goal.

Speaking to Udinese official website in a recent interview, Okoye has expressed his desire to return to the Super Eagles squad after a long absence.

I'm very well now. I feel 100%. The national team is an important thing for me and I want to return as soon as possible," Okoye said to Udinese's official webpage.

"It was hard watching the Africa Cup of Nations from home, but this is football." 

Should he be recalled, he will have to beat Stanley Nwabali who was impressive at the 2023 AFCON, to a spot in the starting lineup.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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