Okoye is the goalkeeper Nigeria need ahead of AFCON – Okocha

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Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has shared his thoughts on the ongoing discussion about the goalkeeping situation in the Nigerian men’s national team.

In simpler words, Okocha has given his opinion on the current debate about who should be the goalkeeper for Nigeria. This is an important topic because the goalkeeper plays a crucial role in a soccer team.

Okocha’s input adds to the conversation, and people are interested in what he thinks about the goalkeeping options for the Nigerian national team.

It’s valuable to hear from experienced players like Okocha. As they bring insights that can influence the decision-making process for the team’s coaching staff. Overall, Okocha’s perspective contributes to the ongoing discussion about the best choice for Nigeria’s goalkeeper.

Okoye hasn’t been part of the Nigerian national team since the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. During that tournament, he played as the goalkeeper for all of Nigeria’s matches. Unfortunately, Okoye faced criticism for his performance, especially in the round of 16 match against Tunisia.

In that game, Okoye was held responsible for the lone goal conceded by the Super Eagles. The goal came from a long-range shot by Youssef Msakni, and Okoye was deemed to have mishandled the situation. As a result, Tunisia secured victory, progressing to the quarter-finals while Nigeria faced elimination.

Since then, Okoye has not been part of the national team, and this incident has played a role in his absence from the squad. The scrutiny around his performance in the Africa Cup of Nations has had an impact on his involvement with the Super Eagles.

After the match, Okoye faced severe criticism from both critics and Nigerian fans, who largely held him responsible for Nigeria’s exit from the competition. Many attributed the team’s elimination to his performance.

Since that incident, despite being 24 years old, Okoye has not made any appearances for the Nigerian national team. Furthermore, he is not included in the current squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The backlash and perceived shortcomings in the previous tournament seem to have affected Okoye’s standing within the team, leading to his absence from subsequent national team selections.

On the other hand, Okocha has come to the defense of Okoye, expressing disagreement with the handling of the situation by the country’s technical crew. The former Bolton Wanderers captain believes that Okoye, despite his mistake in the match against Tunisia two years ago, remains Nigeria’s most talented goalkeeper.

In Okocha’s view, the technical crew should have managed the situation better by retaining Okoye in the squad. He argues that one error should not overshadow the goalkeeper’s overall talent and potential contribution to the team. Okocha’s perspective is supportive of Okoye, advocating for a more understanding approach towards the player’s capabilities rather than solely focusing on past mistakes.

Okocha shared these insights during an interview with Osasu Obayiuwana. While they were on their way to Ivory Coast before the AFCON opener scheduled for Saturday. In the interview, Okocha opened up about his views on Okoye’s situation and the decisions made by the national team’s technical staff.

“The way he has been treated since #AFCON2021, after that fateful Tunisia game, leading to his exclusion from the Eagles, is a mistake. “He is the one keeper that has the type of training and football upbringing that we need in a goalkeeper in the national team. But he is excluded. It’s strange,” Okocha said. 

After Okoye’s absence from the national team, Francis Uzoho took over, playing as the goalkeeper. However, the Omonia Nicosia player has struggled to convince, repeatedly making errors in his performances.

The question now arises as to whether Okoye will be reintegrated into the squad after the conclusion of the AFCON. The uncertainties surrounding Uzoho’s form and Okoye’s potential return add an element of anticipation regarding the future composition of the Nigerian national team.

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