Super Eagles chief coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has confirmed that the coaching crew will not Sparta Rotterdam stopper, Maduka Okoye, of his status as first-choice goalkeeper.
Okoye made his international debut for Nigeria against Brazil in October 2019.
Since then, he has made 13 appearances and risen from third-choice goalkeeper to first choice.
Okoye manned the posts during the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The 22-year-old was also selected for three of the Eagles’ four matches at AFCON 2022, with Francis Uzoho coming in against Guinea-Bissau.
Okoye conceded just two goals, the second of which saw Nigeria eliminated from the tournament.
However, the coaches will keep faith with him for next week’s 2022 World Cup playoffs against Ghana.
“I’m not a goalkeeper trainer, but we have someone in that department, which is Alloy Agu,” Amuneke told Brila as quoted by dailypost.ng.
“Regardless, Maduka Okoye is a good goalkeeper and human being, so we can’t because of one mistake dump (him).
“He’s playing for his team (Sparta), and that’s the most important thing.”
The Black Stars will first host the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium before they make a trip to Abuja four days later for the reverse leg.
