'Moment I have been waiting for' - Okoye ready to step into the shoes of Super Eagles No. 1 Nwabali

Maduka Okoye says he is mentally prepared to start in goal for the Super Eagles on Monday evening when they take on Rwanda's Wasps in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

The Udinese goalkeeper has not featured for the Super Eagles since playing the full 90 minutes in a round of 16 clash against Tunisia at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations on January 23, 2022.

Stanley Nwabali is now the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, having started the last sixteen games for the national team—a decision that has relegated Okoye to playing second fiddle to the Chippa United captain whenever he is called up.

Nwabali has been granted compassionate leave by the Nigeria Football Federation and interim manager Augustine Eguavoen to attend to family matters following the passing of his father.

This development makes Okoye a frontrunner for the starting position against Rwanda, though he faces competition from the uncapped Amas Obasogie.

The matchday six Afcon qualifier in Uyo is a dead rubber for the Super Eagles as they have already secured first place in Group D with a game to spare, following their come-from-behind 1-1 draw against Benin on Thursday night.

Speaking to Victor Modo on Saturday, Okoye said: "It's great, again a big achievement. Afcon is always great for us and for the whole country, so we are happy".

When asked if he is mentally prepared to step into Stanley Nwabali's shoes, Okoye responded: "This is the moment I have been waiting for. I have been attending camp for a long time now, and finally, I have the chance to play again.

"I'm thankful and I cannot wait to put on the jersey again and play in front of the Nigerian fans at home in Nigeria.”

The last time Nigeria attended the Africa Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles went all the way to the final before they were narrowly beaten by hosts Ivory Coast.

"We can do the same thing again. We can reach the final again for sure. This is what we want, this is why we are going to the Afcon.

"We want to win the Afcon now and I'm pretty sure that we have the possibility to do that," Okoye concluded. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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