Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has welcomed the return of Maduka Okoye, expressing no concern over competition for the starting position. Nwabali’s rise in the last six months, sparked by former coach Jose Peseiro’s decision to call him up for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has solidified his status in the team.
Nwabali’s call-up came after Francis Uzoho’s repeated mistakes cost Nigeria crucial matches. Seizing the opportunity, Nwabali excelled in the AFCON, keeping four clean sheets and making two penalty saves, helping Nigeria to a second-place finish. He also delivered strong performances in recent matches against Ghana and Mali, bringing stability to the goalkeeper position.
On the other hand, Okoye has been regaining his form after a challenging period for both club and country. The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who previously played for Sparta Rotterdam, had a solid season with Udinese, achieving five clean sheets in 21 games. His recent performances earned him a call-up to Finidi George’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin in June.
Okoye’s return raises questions about who will start in goal for the upcoming qualifiers. Despite Okoye’s past status as the first-choice goalkeeper, his dip in form opened the door for Nwabali. Now, with Okoye showing signs of his old self, Coach Finidi George faces a tough decision.
Nwabali, however, remains unfazed by the potential competition. “There’s no debate. If Maduka can bring his Udinese form to the national team, then he should play,” Nwabali told Lagos Talks. “This is not a club where you fight for a spot; we represent our country and want everyone happy.”
Given Nwabali’s reliability, Finidi might stick with him to minimize risks. Regardless of who starts, the Super Eagles benefit from having two capable goalkeepers ready to perform.
Source: Soccernet
