Oliseh explains Okoye’s absence from Nigeria’s AFCON squad
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has spoken out about Maduka Okoye’s exclusion from Nigeria’s final AFCON 2025 squad. Oliseh said goalkeepers need special consideration and must know in advance if they will play. He defended Okoye’s decision to skip the tournament, citing past criticism and the risk to his club career at Udinese. The coach also dismissed claims that Okoye’s absence was unpatriotic.
Match highlights
- Sunday Oliseh said goalkeepers like Maduka Okoye need to be managed differently and deserve clarity about playing time.
- Okoye was left out of the final AFCON 2025 squad despite being on the preliminary list, reportedly due to lack of assurance as a starter.
- Oliseh recalled how Okoye faced harsh criticism after his last game for Nigeria, which affected the player’s confidence.
- He argued that joining AFCON without guarantees could jeopardize Okoye’s position at Udinese, especially if his replacement performs well.
- Oliseh dismissed accusations of unpatriotism, stressing that players should not be judged harshly for making career-based decisions.
