Super Eagles’ top two goalkeepers, Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho are reportedly not interested in playing for Nigeria’s national team at this moment.
Nigerian national team which has failed to qualify for the upcoming FIFA WORLD CUP in Qatar, and many has questioned the quality of goalkeepers since Vincent Enyeama retirement. Current goalkeepers has not live to expectations as both Okeye and Uzoho has faced series of threat, which had made them not to return for now
Maduka Okoye who was expected to man the goalpost when Nigeria play in the friendly games against Mexico and Equador has since pulled out.
Huge Fans Backlash and Mental Health Effects
The Watford goalkeepe Okoye is said to have pulled out of contention to play for Nigeria due to mental health after receiving backlash for his role in Nigeria’s elimination at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
Francis Uzoho who was not part of the invited goalkeepers for the Super Eagles friendly games also reportedly asked to be left alone for now.
Recall that both goalkeepers made mistakes at different tournaments that caused Nigeria and Nigerians a huge heartache.
Maduka Okoye conceded a goal against Tunisia at AFCON after miscalculating the flight of the ball.
Francis Uzoho also miscalculated Thomas Partey’s shot allowing the Ghanaians to score an important away goal which earned them the world cup ticket instead of Nigeria.
Nigerian Fans Threatened their Lives
Maduka Okoye is said to have received a death threat while Francis Uzoho hasn’t recovered from the mistake he made.
“Okoye wants a break from international football,” said a source to OwnGoalNigeria.
“He hasn’t recovered mentally from the way he was treated after the Super Eagles exit from the Africa Cup of Nations. He even received death threats and his family members were also not left out.”
“In the case of Uzoho it was clear that he will find it hard to recover from that error. He was in tears at halftime and didn’t want to play in the second half.
The coaches had to beg him to finish the game. At this stage he is the only one who can say if he is ready to return”, he concluded.
Hapoel Jerusalem goalkeeper, Adebayo Adeleye, has reportedly been invited to replace Maduka Okoye.
Nigeria will get to see their new manager Jose Peserio when Nigeria tackle Mexico at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, the State of Texas on Saturday, 28th May, before flying to New Jersey to tackle Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday, 2nd June.