Maduka Okoye Arrives Super Eagles Camp as Nigeria Gear Up for Madagascar AFCON Clash

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has finally joined Nigeria’s camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, ahead of the team’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Madagascar on Friday. His arrival completes the 24-man squad assembled by head coach Éric Chelle for the qualifiers.

The Nigeria national team confirmed Okoye’s arrival on Friday through its official social media platform, posting a photograph of the Udinese goalkeeper with the brief message, “Welcome, Maduka.” His arrival came shortly before the crucial Group L encounter with Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Okoye had been the only member of Chelle’s 24-man squad yet to report to camp after the majority of the players had arrived and begun preparations for the qualifying campaign. The Super Eagles had already conducted their opening training sessions with 23 players before the Udinese goalkeeper linked up with his teammates.

Several key players had arrived earlier, including captain Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali. Other members of the squad in camp included Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Chelle had previously explained that Okoye’s delayed arrival was connected to a request from his Italian club, Udinese, for the goalkeeper to remain behind for club-related activities. The coach said Okoye was expected to join the national team but had not yet arrived at the time.

The goalkeeper’s absence had generated attention in the days leading up to the fixture, particularly after footage emerged showing him at Milan Fashion Week while the Super Eagles were already preparing in Nigeria. Reports also noted his appearance alongside American rapper Cardi B during the event, although the official explanation from the team concerned his club and personal commitments.

With Okoye now available, Chelle has all three goalkeeping options named in his squad: Okoye, Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo. The availability of the trio gives the coach a full complement of goalkeepers from which to make his selection for the Madagascar encounter.

Nigeria enters the fixture as part of Group L, which also contains Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania. Tanzania’s status as one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON means the qualifying campaign carries a particular format, with the highest-ranked qualifying team among the other sides expected to secure the group’s available qualification place.

The Super Eagles will host Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time. The encounter represents Nigeria’s first competitive fixture in the qualification race for the continental tournament to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in 2027.

After the Madagascar encounter, Nigeria are scheduled to travel to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29 in their second Group L qualifier. The team will subsequently have an international friendly against Russia on October 6, while Chelle continues preparations for Nigeria’s broader 2027 AFCON campaign.