Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Emilio Okoye, has rekindled his interest in becoming the number one of the Nigerian football team, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old was the starting goalkeeper for the Nigerian team at the AFCON 2021 tournament, but an error from him meant the Super Eagles exited the tournament at the round of sixteen in Cameroon, leading to harsh criticism from Nigerian football fans.
Maduka’s first call-up since 2022 came when Finidi George included the Udinese goalkeeper his 23-man squad ahead of Nigeria’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin Republic and South Africa, where he was second choice to Stanley Nwabali.
After having a brilliant season with Udinese in the Serie A, the former Fortuna Dusseldorf man has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and Torino, but he has his sights sets on becoming the man to lead Nigeria to the next World Cup.
“People will back Manuel Neuer if he makes errors because he’s done a lot for Bayern and Germany, but I’ve not given my best performances to the National team and I’m praying for the opportunity to give my best to Nigeria, it is what I’ve always wanted. I want to be the one who is carrying Nigeria to the World Cup, and bringing the trophies home, but it is not easy. I know I didn’t give my best, but I want to give my all, to give it all for my Father land,” Okoye told Oma Akatugba in an interview.
The Udinese goalkeeper will be hoping to be back withing the sticks when Nigeria kick off their journey to qualifying for the AFCON tournament next season.