Former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been in fine form for Udinese in recent months. After a disappointing season at Watford, the 24-year-old shot-stopper left for the Italian top-flight last summer.
That move has since proven to be a career saver for Okoye as despite a slow start to life at the club, he has displace Marco Silvestri and has become the first-choice goalkeeper at Udinese.
This season, Okoye has registered 18 Serie A appearances for Udinese and has three clean sheets. He has recorded an average of 3.2 shots per game, accounting for 71% of the shots he has faced.
Clearly, his performance this season has been a significant upturn from last season, when he did not make a single league appearance for Watford in the English Championship. Because of his recent performances, there have been talks that he should return to the Super Eagles squad for the first time since October 2023. Okoye himself has even stated that he wants to return to manning the sticks for the Super Eagles. But at Nwabali’s expense?
Nwabali just became Nigeria’s number one goalie at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations this year. The former coach Jose Peseiro brought in the Chippa United shot-stopper after Francis Uzoho’s fumbles on different occasions.
Nwabali’s seized the opportunity, registering four clean sheets at the AFCON. He also saved two penalties in the semifinal shoot-out against South Africa. Nwabali’s AFCON performance was not a fluke. He has been brilliant for Chippa United all season, recording ten clean sheets in 22 appearances.
With Nwabali’s performance, it may be harsh to replace him with Okoye, who has not covered himself in glory on different occasions. Besides, Nwabali has proven to be reliable even when the ovation is loudest. Also, why fix what is not broken?
Moreover, while it is logical for Okoye to return to the Super Eagles fold, it is also important to note that this is not the first time that he would be showing great form. During his time at Sparta Rotterdam, Okoye was like a demi-god, he even won the Player of the Month award at the club. Still, he fumbled on the international stage. Remember the game against Algeria?
Hence, it is clear that his problem is not ability. Rather, it could be confidence. And this is not the best time to start building the confidence of a goalkeeper.
The World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Niger are in June, and those games can not be gambled on. Also, the 2025 AFCON qualifiers are nigh. With these important games, keeping Uzoho as first-choice may be the best bet.
From his two games in charge of the Super Eagles against Ghana and Mali, Finidi has shown that he will likely stick to Peseiro’s setup. Thus, Nwabali would likely keep his spot in goal.
But what do you think, should Okoye replace Nwabali?