Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has opened up on his decision to decline participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The shot-stopper was one of the high-profile omissions from Nigeria’s squad for the continental tournament, raising questions at the time over his absence.
The 26-year-old had been out of action at the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign after serving a suspension linked to an alleged betting controversy, which disrupted his return to regular football.
Speaking on the matter, Okoye explained that prioritising his recovery and match fitness influenced his decision to skip the competition.
Okoye On AFCON 2025 Absence
He also noted that staying back allowed him to repay his club, Udinese, for their backing during a challenging phase in his career.
“Since I was not Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, I believed it was better to remain at Udinese, work on my form, and also show appreciation to the club for standing by me during a difficult period,” he told German publication Kicker.
Meanwhile, Okoye has earned a recall to the Super Eagles squad ahead of upcoming international friendly matches against Iran and Jordan.
