The rivalry between goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali in the Super Eagles is so toxic, a top team source has told SCORENigeria
It is a stone-cold rivalry that even smacks of hatred.
“Can you imagine that Maduka Okoye does not even greet Nwabali?,” the team source asked in disbelief.
“There is a lot of bad blood between the two players.”
SCORENigeria broke the news that Nwabali has opted out of the 2025 AFCON because he does not wish to deputise for Nwabali at the tournament.
As only reported by SCORENigeria, Okoye’s Italian Serie A club Udinese also fired an email to the NFF in this regard.
Maduka Okoye was No 1 at the delayed 2021 AFCON in Cameroon three years ago.
His mistake eliminated Nigeria by the Round of 16 at the hands of Tunisia.
He would then put a hold on his international career after he received death threats on account of this incident.
He was replaced by Francis Uzoho, who then lost the No 1 shirt to Nwabali after he let in the goal in Abuja that sent arch-rivals Ghana to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Nwabali has been the No 1 since the 2023 AFCON.
