Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been named in the Serie A Team of the Week, reports Completesports.com.
Okoye caught the eye with his impressive performance for the Zebras against Bologna.
The 24-year-old made a number key saves in the 1-1 draw at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara.
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The shot stopper’s teammate Lautaro Giannetti also made the selection.
Okoye was one of the key performers for Udinese last season.
The shot stopper was rewarded with a new contract on Tuesday.
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28 Comments
And Nwabali continues to bench this guy??? I hope the new coach reviews this dept.
I was one of the ardent fans of Nwabali at Afcon, but with Finidi playing an all-out attack style, in contrast to Paseiro’s conservative, ultra-defensive style, I started to think Nwabali’s heroics were more of false positives courtesy of 5-man defense wall plus everyone else playing defense, including Osimhen.
I was disappointed with the goals he conceded against Benin and even SA. That was a sharp difference from the sharp reflexes he displayed in CIV, especially that PK shootout against SA in the semis.
And what is wrong in Nwabali benching him? He abandoned the team when it mattered most. What error has Nwabali to now vacate the position for him. Please mention the goals at the qualifiers that were nwabalis fault. Now because your deserter has returned, we should now begin to look for excuses to bench nwabali.
Congratulations to my lovely Okoye. I am proud of you. Keep the fire burning.
However kę, Nwabali remains our number one golie for now.
It is all about self determination, boldness, confidence and leadership. Name it Nwabali has it all.
It is not about playing in Africa league or abroad but it is all about what you can do for your nation. Hmmm. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
I ran into quite a lot of quarrels with some esteemed members of this forum when I backed Francis Uzoho pre-afcon. Whilst I concede that Uzoho’s attributes have somewhat depreciated recently, I maintain that he is not as bad as a loose formation made him look.
When we played a tighter formation in the Afcon, Nwabili looked impregnable, keeping clean-sheet after clean-sheet. Post-afcon though, it has been a different story.
Once the next coach, Finidi, adopted a loose formation. the once promontory Nwabili started leaking goals lock-stock-and-barrel: dropping 6 goals in just 4 games.
Now, I will have to come to the defense of Nwabili like I did to Uzoho. Applying the same principle, I will say Nwabili hasn’t dropped the ball enough to be dropped as our number one. I don’t care whether he plays in Tanzania, for Nigeria, he is commanding between the sticks, good with his distribution, nimble on his feet, competent with his interceptions and compelling in penalty kicks.
Well done to Okoye and more grease to his goalkeeping elbows. I have watched several of his games and can attest to his massive improvements as a top notch goalkeeper with top quality saves for Udinese.
But for Nigeria, left to me, we have to wait until Nwabili falters before Okoye can usurp him. And thus far, Nwabili hasn’t put a glove wrong.
I am not an expert in judging goalkeeping abilities but, if you ask me, I think Nwabili carries an air of confidence and assurance that radiates with the fans and players around him.
Okoye, to me, still has psychological baggage and emotional issues with national team football brought about by misguided fans who rained insults at him some years back on social media (he is working on this issue though and has come out to say he is better). As for Uzoho, I still rate him highly, even more highly than Okoye when it comes to mental and psychological resilience: core components of the confidence of a goalkeeper to do a good job in international football. My only issue with Uzoho is that is he not getting regular game-time in club football. If he doesn’t turn that situation around, I have no problem at all dropping him for another Nigeria goalkeeper playing week-in week-out in Rwanda or Tanzania due to the importance and benefits match-sharpness in reserve goalkeepers.
In all, I remain a huge fan of Okoye.
His decision to take a sabbatical from the Super Eagles to focus on improving himself in club football and cementing his position in Udinese’s starting 11 is paying massive dividends. He is far refined goalkeeper with fabulous reflexes and exceptional aptitude and judgement – very great, enthralling and refreshing to watch. But in his absence,Nwabili has established himself as a “safe pair of hands” for the Super Eagles. Playing in a less glamorous league should not been seen as an Achilles Heel of Nwabili.
So for me, our goalkeepers in order are: 1) Nwabili, 2) Okoye, 3) Any other goalkeeper playing week-in week-out in club football from Tanzania, Rwanda, Nigeria or Uzoho if he does the needful.
I hope my submission hasn’t offended anyone, it is just a personal opinion and should be read with that point in mind. I am not an aficionado in football matters and never claimed to be, I am just a subjective Nigeria fan with subjective views.
E seun!
Great comment here @deo, kudos for a well thought out piece that’s music to my ears
However, I believe that Okoye has done enough to overtake Nwabali as numero uno based on current form. Good thing is that we are assured of 2 GK that we can now rely on with some confidence and this is a welcome situation.
At any given time, the best performing GK should be used and that is Okoye currently. Nwabali will be a capable hand to come in whenever the need arise from time to time
This is only my opinion and not sacrosanct o
God bless Nigeria
@deo
nice submission. Well-thought out. I don’t think there is much to argue with that.
Left to me, Nwabali should remain number one unless otherwise, dropping in form and all. But if the new coach choses to go with Okoye, I wouldn’t be bothered, such move could be justified in some regard. It is always good to know that your number two can be as reliable as number one. Keeps the team in competitive mode and on their toes. Extra motivation to do a good job when given the opportunity.
So, whatever the case, this is good news for the Super Eagles. We need a strong eleven and a much stronger bench. Hopefully, other department of the squad have similar competitive quality. We need such positive ‘headache’
@Mr Hush
Truly appreciate your contribution.We need such positive headache.
The defender of the indefensible is at it again. Hmmm, nkan se mi!
I have long forgiven Uzoho for the $30 million blunder he committed against Ghana.
If he starts showing that he’s one of our best like Okoye has, the SE will welcome him with open arms.
Talking about the Tanzania league, our best players should be encouraged to go there to hone their skills. Make hunger no kee dem for Naija. The likes of DE RAMPAGING Joseph Atule will be transformed into CR7 type talents if they head to the Serengeti.
Victor Osimhen needs competition. A Tanzania league-based Joseph Atule will give him a good run for his money.
UP TANZANIA, UP SERENGETI!!!
I would prefer Okoye in goal because he plays in the top 5 league in Europe,besides that,he has proven in that league and well revered for his consistencies which is key.
I am of the opinion that standard is crucial in building a solid team..That should also set a benchmark for other goalkeepers..
We shouldn’t continue to see or judge Okoye from his performances of over two years ago,nevertheless,all things considered,his performances broadly wasn’t bad,he did well,we cannot judge him from a blunder he made in just one game as a rookie goalkeeper.
Okoye’s expedition in Europe after the blunder against Tunisia has made him the player he’s today,a far better quality than what we knew.The best must always represent us.If we carry on with featuring players in smaller leagues ahead of their contemporaries doing exceptionally well in a much bigger leagues,then we’re setting a bad precedent for the future.More so,ecouraging mediocrity which will definitely stunt our growth,
I would prefer Okoye in goal because he plays in the top 5 league in Europe,besides that,he has proven in that league and well revered for his consistencies which is key.
I am of the opinion that standard is crucial in building a solid team..That should also set a benchmark for other goalkeepers..
We shouldn’t continue to see or judge Okoye from his performances of over two years ago,nevertheless,all things considered,his performances broadly wasn’t bad,he did well,we cannot judge him from a blunder he made in just one game as a rookie goalkeeper.
Okoye’s expedition in Europe after the blunder against Tunisia has made him the player he’s today,a far better quality than what we knew.The best must always represent us.If we carry on with featuring players in smaller leagues ahead of their contemporaries doing exceptionally well in a much bigger leagues,then we’re setting a bad precedent for the future.More so,ecouraging mediocrity which will definitely stunt our growth,
Tim is a guy that just signed for Everton, he has shown interest in playing for Nigeria . He looks decent and his game looks like Obi but he wins the ball with ease.
https://youtu.be/_cJLXWAMmlU?si=2wtVfA35anVb56ng
Wow, look at all this excuses being created just to have this deserter back in goal at all cost. Na wa o. So when we were desperately seeking to replace Uzoho, where was he, still pondering about what the fans would say. We finally got one, and am hearing he should be man the post because he plays in a top 5 league or because he has better reflexes than Nwabali, that’s an hypocritical statement to make. When he was helping us to save penalties at the last AFCON, please were the balls being played to his hands. Can his excuses be accepted by a white coach and he fills he will come back and reclaim his position.
God bless you @Amadi. I don’t understand Nigerians. They prefer fine boy to a dedicated and energetic Nwabali who is still doing fanterbulous job in the national team.
How can Okoye bench Nwabali because rediscover his form and he’s also playing in the top 5 league? Thank God their not the coach.
I love Okoye but sentiment apart, he is not better than Nwabali. Bobo is a complete golie. When it comes to penalties, he’s very reliable and dependable. A trusted goal tender of Nwabali caliber is way ahead of Okoye the future of the Super Eagles golie.
As it is, Okoye is our number two and Uzoho is out of it.
A serious coach will rather consider another fantastic golie so that he can have three best goalkeepers for the Super Eagles.
Long story short, Okoye is the second choice and he should thank God that we gave him a second chance.
Lastly, NFF is not serious and it shows in their attitude. How can the NFF be doing like this and the government can not do anything about it?
It is better if FIFA ban Nigeria from participating in any sport than allowing the “Ajewomasan” the debtors NFF to remain in the office.
How long does it take to hire a coach my people?
In the end, NFF will ask Siasia to rescue Nigeria. Is that how it works?
Nobody should blame Siasia. Sia1 has never been given a chance to manage the Super Eagles. At least given him a year contract is not a bad idea. Now, some people are saying Siasia has failed twice to make it to afcon.
This is a dirty game from NFF but this time around, NFF will regret their actions because it won’t work. NFF will do whatever it takes to tarnish our own images but our own must be careful at the moment. NFF is a confuse entity. They believe they know it all but they don’t know anything. Hmmm. Truth is bitter.
Finger crossed. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
“As it is, Okoye is our number two and UZOHO IS OUT OF IT.” Hahaha!
I love you Omo9ja. This is my quote of the day. Simply brilliant!
If Okoye had availed himself of the opportunity provided by AFCON, Nwabali will probably not be in the team, but Okoye turned his back on the team even on the back of his impressive showing at Udinese in the weeks leading up to the AFCON. We do not want players who can’t stand bashing. To play in the national team requires a different level of mental toughness. Nwabali has not done badly as his immense contribution helped us to reach AFCON final. Okoye should play from the bench along Arthur Okonkwo while Nwabali should keep the NO. 1 spot until further notice.
Great comment @Greatness! No pun intended.
For me I think we have two number ones and I think finally our goalkeeping issues are finally behind us. However, if we want to be fair I think Okoye should be the first choice going by his performances for Udinese last season and in the new season. Maduka is 24. Stanley is 28. Okoye is currently active while Nwabali hasn’t been active for some time since the SA league hasn’t kicked off yet.
In the long run Maduka is poised to be our first choice goalkeeper. Nwabali took advantage of the Cattenacio formation adopted by Peseiro at the AFCON. Since after the AFCON he has been conceding goals in a regular 4 man defense.
No disrespect to Nwabali, but in my opinion I think our best goalkeeper at the moment is Maduka Okoye.
Stop there @Ayphillydegreat. You never appreciated our heroes. To you and your likes, anything abroad is better than local.
This is why I am here to change that weak mentality from you people.
Nwabali is better than Okoye when it comes to manning the post for Nigeria period.
Go back and watch Nigeria vs Mexico where Nwabali concided four goals and out of the four goals non was his fault.
Nwabali was able to command his area. Mind you, that was our home based team and still, he showed his class against a star studded Mexican team.
You can’t tell that you know Okoye more than me. When Okoye was first introduced to us, I was one of those people that supported him while you people were in support of Uzoho.
Young, please don’t say what you don’t know.
God has chosen Nwabali and so be it. Let Okoye keep working hard to justify his position in the Super Eagles.
But for now, Nwabali is the no1, Okoye no2 while the 3rd position is widely open for a grap.
Lastly, sorry for my typing errors in my comments today. I was rushing to reply these people while I’m busy doing other things. Wahalayin na ni mo nbakiri ahahaha lol. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
24yr old Maduka Okoye [former eredivisie goalie of the season and Serie A top 5 goalie: rescuer of 2 clubs from relegation in 2 top leagues]:
16 caps, 11 goals conceded, 8 clean sheets
.
.
.
28 year old (football age) Enyeama Wannabe:
13 caps, 16 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets (incidentally all 4 clean sheets came when we parked the bus with 7 defenders)
Stats don’t lie.
Football is all about performance and not showmanship.
I can’t wait for a foreign coach to take over SE and do the needful.
For me Nwabali is better than both okoye and uzohor，every keeper do concieve goalz no matter the diffense line，our diffense have never been that bad for any of these keeper to lay their blames on， the goal okoye allowed in tunisia game has nothing to do with poor deffending， it was simply poor goalkeeping，in addition to the poor giveaway he gifted to the algerians in his last game for Nigeria， that wasnt any difenders fault，the truth is he loses focus in games and he must learn to stay focus and take games seriously，
uzohor blunders have nothing to do with deffensive errors or packing of the defens， he was consid goals from wick shot from patay，free kick from almost outside the stadium went through him，he also took one from nearly center of the field against zimbabwe， they both lack cofidents and command，Nwabali took goals that are obviosly diffenders error and are unsafable， the only fault he needs to work on is coner kicks，，he makes thesame errors like enyeama does by mixing the ball while diving for it，living the goal too wide behind， that was the only fault of antibalistic nwabali that led to ivorycoast kessie equalizer
@Collins Id, it shall be well with you.
Keep educating them and I hope they listen.
I am so happy that they are not the coach of the Super Eagles otherwise, Super Eagles would have been conceding goals wotowoto like waterfalls lol.
Okoye should wait for his time. He have to be strong mentally and physically ready for the national team. He needs to be more focused.
Good luck to Okoye, he is a good golie and I’m pretty sure that he is going to be one of the best keeper in the world if he continues this way but he is for the future. Nwabali is the Super Eagles number one for now. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Correct talk my brother, sentiments can never beat statistics
Hmmm… Good to see this. At least, that position is settled. Not like in the time of Alloy Agu.
Plus Owen Goodman , Arthur Okonkwo, Atubolu or any good keeper, we are set.
Concerning the debate, even when Nwabili became No1, the goalkeeper coaches still refer to Okoye as the best performer in camp/trainings.Is Nwabali good, Yes. In term of present form who is better? Okoye. Do we really have to wait till Nwabali messes up? No. Cudicini was the best goalkeeper in premiership before Peter Cech came onboard and took the first position from him. Whoever the new coach settles for is ok by me. Good defense is as good as the goalie.
You have started with your sentiment again @Sean. You have never changed.
This is why you people voted for EMILOKAN instead of Sowore.
Now, emilokan is using Nigeria money buying jet for himself and buying the luxury SUV for his members while Nigerians can not afford to put food on their tables. Who should we blame for this, Nigerians of cause. Because Nigerians are the obstacles of Nigeria. Hmm, interesting.
In that regard, Nwabali is like Sowore while Okoye a.k.a the fine boy is like emilokan.
If you consider Sowore, that means Nwabali should remain our number one but if you consider emilokan then, Okoye should replace Nwabali which to me it won’t happen.
How can you bench an inform Afcon silver medalist to Okoye that has not reaching Afcon semis yet? I believe no coach will ever do that kę.
You people have no choice but to consider Nwabali as the no1 Super Eagles golie period. Ire o. God bless Nigeria!!!
Lol! Problem Child.
What about Osigwe and Alampasu?
This one that you are jumping from one comment to another.
You can lead protest if the New coach (that if there will be any) chooses Okoye.
Nwabali remains our first choice goal keeper okoye is good no doubt but I will still go for nwabali
Nwabali is okay in every sense yet he’s not spectacular like Vincent Enyeama. Okoye is improving but still conceding long distance Cannon like Uzoho. For now Okoye should work on long balls/set pieces before we can safely rely on him. He couldn’t survive EPL for a reason. Nwabali also has a predicament with no club buying him yet we hear they all love him lol Nigeria Media and fallacies. So the Slot is open for who the new manager chooses pending NFF money-phobiarism newly constructed terminology for money greedy thieves in the Nigeria football.
They are not employing Andersson again. The dose of confusion and stealing going on in the Nigerian football is crazy as we speak. If Eguadiola wants to coach the team they should say it from the onset at least I know he is better than Finidi but a part of NFF thief crew.
Are we sure this Renard u-turn rumour is not another ploy to pull the last plug on Nigerians???
You said it all @Chima. Sense is your middle name.