Maduka Okoye has opened up on his decision to turn
down an invitation to represent the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations
in Morocco, despite Nigeria going on to secure a third-place finish.
In an interview with German outlet Kicker, the Udinese
goalkeeper explained that his choice was largely influenced by concerns about
his fitness and form following a period away from competitive football.
Okoye disclosed that he had been out of action for
about two months due to a suspension related to betting issues, and felt it was
important to focus on regaining full match sharpness at club level before
returning to international duty.
He noted that, not being the first-choice goalkeeper
for Nigeria at the time, it made more sense to remain with his club, rebuild
his confidence, and also repay the support shown to him during a challenging
period.
The 24-year-old also pointed out the broader challenge
posed by the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations, highlighting how its
timing within the European football calendar often puts players in difficult
positions when balancing club and country responsibilities.
Okoye has now rejoined the national team ahead of
upcoming friendly matches in Turkey, where Nigeria will face Iran and Jordan as
part of preparations for future competitions.
Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to give him game
time during the fixtures as he works to reintegrate into the squad.
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