Three days after completing his move from West Bromwich Albion, Brian Okonkwo made his FA Cup debut in the colours of Leamington as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Gainsborough Trinity in the Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round.
The Hale End Academy product joined the Southern League Premier Central Division outfit this week on a 28-day loan deal in search of regular first-team football, marking his first loan spell away from the Baggies.
Okonkwo was brought in to provide cover for the injured Cian Tyler, who is expected to be sidelined for a period.
The highly rated goalkeeper had already featured against senior opposition before joining Leamington, keeping a clean sheet for West Brom U21s in a 1-0 victory over Boston United in the National League Cup.
Okonkwo also featured in Premier League 2, conceding four goals in an eight-goal thriller between West Brom and Derby County.
The former Arsenal youth player was named in Leamington's starting lineup against Gainsborough Trinity and made a couple of saves during the encounter at the OurCoop Community Stadium.
Chris Wreh put Leamington ahead in first-half stoppage time, but Connor Brown levelled from close range in the 62nd minute to force a replay.
Brian is the younger brother of Wrexham loanee Arthur Okonkwo, who has been named in the Super Eagles squad for their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
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