The 22-year-old shot-stopper is expected to be between the sticks when the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off, but he may not get to finish the tournament should Nigeria go far
Sparta Rotterdam coach Henk Fraser has suggested that Super Eagles shot-stopper Maduka Okoye should make an early return from the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Watford bound goalkeeper is one of the key players at the Sparta Stadion. However, his brilliance has not been complemented by his teammates as The Castle Lords currently sit 17th in the Eredivisie.
Sparta Rotterdam have won just two of their last thirteen Eredivisie games, and they currently risk relegation, as they are three points away from safety.
Due to this reason, Fraser wants his star player to return to the Netherlands, even if it would mean that Okoye leaves the Super Eagles camp before the end of their AFCON campaign.
“I understand that the final of the Africa Cup and the Rotterdam derby will be on the same date,” Fraser told FCUpdate.
“I think he will go there, but he owes it to Sparta. So I think he’s nice after the first, maybe should come home in the second round.”
The AFCON kicks off on January 9th and ends on February 6th. This means that if Nigeria reached the competition’s final, Okoye would miss Sparta Rotterdam’s first three Eredivisie fixtures after the mid-season break.
This post was last modified on December 23, 2021 2:18 pm
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Sparta Rotadam should please allow Okoye to concentrate in the AFCON, They should give their 2nd and 3rd keepers chance to prove themselves
That why they have more than one goalie .Nigeria come first . It’s a FIFA recognised tournament .
These white coaches don’t even know or they know when they say or do racist behaviors. Probably sometimes they do it on purpose. Nigeria comes first. The other day Liverpool coach called AFCON little tournament claiming he misspoke. What a racist remark??? Africans don’t even have their time. Now attorney for Napoli says he will sue If Victor plays at AFCON. Lol. This is what Fela Anikulapo kuti of blessed memory called ANIMAL TALK. Yeye dey smell!!!
"Come home" indeed. Africa is his home. Let him honour his father's land for a min. You've got him another 2years. Greedy people.
The so called White people are obviously greedy and self centered
Wen Africa aways play their ball outside football calendar, Africa should learn
Africa don’t have control outside football calendar. Our weather dictates our calendar. Lol. Why don’t they accommodate our calendar?
We all disgree with Sparta Rotterdam Coach. Please CAF should next time start AFCON in June.
Lol! June? RAINING SEASON? When African continent witness serious DOWNPOURS! AND THUNDERSTORMS. Very unpredictable whether. AFCON will never be held in RAINING SEASON. That’s near impossible. Just like asking Europeans to play in summer. During hot season. Our whether dictates this tournament. Why don’t their league wait until AFCON is over and then continue with their league? And show Africans some respect!!!
Exactly I agree with Mazi I think this is indirect slavery, the white should show us some respect, for crying out loud since 1957 the tournament has always been played in January. Why now they are trying to hold back our players? When Europe, Copa America, Cocacaf, Asia cup etc were hosting their tournament did any club hold their players not to go and represent their country? The tournament wasn't played same period, this madness must stop caf should sit up or we would replace him with someone who can speak for us. it seems he is so mute that's why the white are taking advantage of him.