One of the biggest posers in the Super Eagles currently is whether Maduka Okoye is scared of main rival Stanley Nwabali in the team.
There are now strong indications that Udinese shot stopper Maduka Okoye will stay away from the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau after official communication claimed he has been held back by personal issues.
SCORENigeria first reported that Okoye asked for guarantees that he will be the Super Eagles No 1 at the 2025 AFCON with his Italian club also officially writing the NFF on this matter.
Coach Eric Chelle has maintained that the Super Eagles is a national team and no one can give a player such guarantees.
It was also understood that the coach rates Nwabali ahead of Okoye even though he features in a modest South African club, while Okoye is first choice for his Serie A club.
Another source told SCORENigeria that there is no love lost between both goalkeepers so much so that Okoye allegedly does not even respond to the greetings of Nwabali when they are in camp.
The Super Eagles have benefited over the years by the fierce goalkeeping rivalries from that between Emmanuel Okala and Best Ogedegbe to Vincent Enyeama and Dele Aiyenugba.
However, this may now not be the case at the present time as Okoye does not appear prepared to come face-to-face with his main rival for the Super Eagles No 1 shirt, Nwabali.
