AFCON

“I secretly still hope for that” – Maduka Okoye wants late Afcon call-up for snubbed Super Eagles striker

The national team shot-stopper is aware that Victor Osimhen and Odion Ighalo will not be available for selection at the continental championship

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has revealed his secret wish is that Feyenoord attacker Cyriel Dessers be invited to replace Al-Shabab striker Odion Ighalo on Nigeria’s 28-man roster for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

With Super Eagles’ first-choice forwards Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Genk’s Paul Onuachu ruled out of the Afcon, interim coach Augustine Eguavoen put his trust in tournament debutants Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Almeria’s Umar Sadiq.

Afcon 2019 top goalscorer Ighalo, returning from retirement, was included to add much-needed experience to a largely greenhorn attack. But his Saudi Arabian club has refused to release the ex-Watford man for the championship, leaving Nigeria short on manpower. 

Dessers is one of the players who could replace Ighalo, with the Feyenoord star in impressive form. The 27-year-old has four goals in six appearances in the Europa Conference League and netted another four in only 333 minutes in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie.

Although Eguavoen has ruled out the possibility of inviting Dessers no matter what happens between Ighalo and Al Shabab, Okoye is still praying for some miracle to bring the ex-Utrecht man to Cameroon.

“Victor Osimhen cannot participate, and his replacement, Odion Ighalo, is having trouble getting permission from his club in Saudi Arabia,” the 22-year-old told RTV Rijnmond, as per FeyenoordPings.

“If that doesn’t work, I think Dessers should be called up. I secretly still hope for that.”

Ighalo or Dessers or not, the Super Eagles will have to be at their very best to secure a positive result when they face seven-time Afcon champions Egypt on Tuesday.

This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 5:18 pm

Imhons Erons

View Comments

Share
Published by
Imhons Erons

Recent Posts

“We know him inside out” – Interim Super Eagles manager eyes another victory over Gernot Rohr

Interim Super Eagles manager, Augustine Owen Eguavoen, has revealed his players will do their best… Read More

6 hours ago

Benin vs Nigeria: Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and three other stars that can help Super Eagles tame Cheetas

The Super Eagles of Nigeria tackle close neighbors Benin in their fourth game of the… Read More

11 hours ago

Nigeria vs Ghana: Black Galaxies prepare for Super Eagles B CHAN clash with two friendly wins

Mustapha Yakubu was the standout performer as Ghana’s Black Galaxies secured two friendly wins on… Read More

11 hours ago

Predicted XI: Osho, Lookman and Osimhen start, Simon and Boniface out – Nigeria’s expected lineup against Benin

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up for their critical 2025 Africa Cup of… Read More

12 hours ago

“They’re at full strength” – Benin Republic’s Gernot Rohr unsure of victory ahead of Nigeria clash

Benin Republic's head coach, Gernot Rohr, has admitted it'll be very hard to defeat the… Read More

13 hours ago

“I’m here to stay” – Nassarawa United defender vows to fight for Super Eagles place

Newest Super Eagles invitee, Victor Collins, has vowed to give his all to remain in… Read More

13 hours ago