German-born goalkeeper Maduka Okoye stated his desire to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and is ready to challenge Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi as the Number 1 of the West African giants.
The highly rated 19-year-old star has already established himself as the starting goalkeeper for German second division side Fortuna Düsseldorf II. His impressive performances in Germany as earned him a call-up for the Dream Team VII final round AFCON U-23 qualifiers against Sudan in June.
Maduka Okoye@OkoyeMaduka
Im coming Home Nigeria! After 13 years.
Can’t describe my feelings. Looking forward to the Qualifying matches with the U23 against Sudan. #Olympia20201,066
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Born in Düsseldorf, to a Nigerian father and German mother, Okoye was earlier approached by Nigeria’s scout, Victor Agali over committing his international future to Nigeria ahead of Germany and he gave a positive response. In a recent interview with Channels Television, he revealed that it was his ultimate dream to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to make his fatherland proud.
“I think it is a decision of my heart. I always wanted to wear the jersey since I was a little child. When my father traveled to Nigeria, he always came back with Nigerian jerseys so I think it’s just a dream. There was no thought ( of playing for Germany ), it was 100 percent Nigeria, I want to make my fatherland proud and this is the only way” he said of his decision to play for Nigeria ahead of 2014 World Cup winners, Germany.
Oma Akatugba
✔@omaakatugba
Meet soon to be Nigeria's Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper. 19- year old Maduka Okoye, @OkoyeMaduka, he plays for Fortuna Dusseldorf @f95 of Germany. He is a Nigerian through and through. P.S I encouraged him to open a twitter handle today so please do follow him.
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The 19-year-old was overlooked by Rohr for the game against Seychelles and Egypt but was called up for the U-23 team qualifier against Libya, but after a dispute with his club, the player opted out of the clash. “Obviously I’m disappointed not to have been part of the U-23 setup. Fortuna really needed me at the time so they didn’t let me go and I just came back from injury which made them scared about me having a relapse.”
“It was a crazy feeling, (getting called up to the Dream Team VII) I was almost crying because I had waited for this moment for like 12 years and it finally happened. I will never forget this moment and I thank Imama Amapakabo (coach of Dream team) for this chance he has given me and I will make him and Nigeria proud.”
As for his aspirations in club football, he hopes to play at the highest level in the Bundesliga although he appreciates that the Premier League is the hardest and playing in the La Liga would be tough because of technicality. However, the German League is a blend of everything and it is tough to make as a young goal keeper in Germany.
Okoye was in decent form for his club side this season and he would be hoping to bring that form for the Dream Team when they play in their Olympic qualifiers against Sudan in June. He claims that his ultimate aim to to line up for the Super Eagles of Nigeria one day but he admits that it would be a tough challenge to break into Gernot Rohr’s team.
“Yes, the ultimate aim is to play in the super eagles,” Okoye said. “It is what I have been working for my whole life. The three goalkeepers in the super eagles are very good and it will be hard to displace them, but with hard work everything is possible. I have no doubt that I would have a chance and I accept the challenge and yeah, I think I am ready”
Although he was not considered for selection during the preparations for the 2019 African Cup of Nations, Okoye wished the Super Eagles of Nigeria all the best ahead of the start of the tournament. “I wish them best of luck and God’s blessing for everybody. They will make us proud and they have very good chances at the African Cup of Nations.”
The Super Eagles have been drawn in group B with Burundi, Guinea and Madagascar and would begin their AFCON campaign on the 22nd of June at the Alexandria Stadium.
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