Maduka Okoye Joins Super Eagles for AFCON Qualifier

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye joined Nigeria's national team camp on September 25, 2026, ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying opener against Madagascar. Okoye, who plays for Udinese, arrived in Uyo earlier that day, completing head coach Éric Chelle's 24-man squad for the qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

He was the last player to report for duty, having been granted permission to attend to club-related matters before joining the national team. Chelle confirmed this arrangement at a press conference on September 24, stating, “His club asked me to allow him to take care of some club-related activities, and I agreed.” Despite joining the squad, Okoye is not expected to start against Madagascar, with Chelle likely to choose between Chippa United's Stanley Nwabali and Charlton Athletic's Arthur Okonkwo for the starting position.

The match is set to take place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with a kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.