Udinese No 1 goalkeeper Maduka Okoye may have been overlooked for the crucial 2027 AFCON double-header against Tanzania, but he remains a part of the national team, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has maintained.
Okoye was part of the squad for last month’s AFCON qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau even after joining the training camp in Uyo late.
However, SCORENigeria later reported that he kept mostly to himself in camp against the backdrop that he demanded for the No 1 shirt for the 2025 AFCON.
“Maduka Okoye is still part of the national team, but I made my choice,” Eric Chelle said at a pre-match press briefing.
“The national team is not closed to him or for other players.
“My choice was based on what you do in the pitch and around the pitch.
“You need to have a good position in the group, how do you feel in the group, how do you feel when you’re in that group, everything in and around the pitch.
“After that I had my tactical thinking and I made the best choice (for the team)”.
