Despite missing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has seen his stock rise in the latest transfermarkt update, Soccernet.ng reports.
Okoye was left out of the Nigeria squad to the 34th edition of the AFCON, where the Super Eagles reached the final for the first time in ten years.
Still, the 24-year-old goalkeeper enjoys increased valuation due to his excellent outings for Udinese since becoming the club's number-one shot-stopper.
Now valued at €3 million, Okoye is the most valuable Nigerian goalkeeper in the world.
The former Sparta Rotterdam star has conceded only 14 goals in 11 Serie A games, keeping three clean sheets.
He was man of the match as Udinese stunned Juventus last month, and he made six saves as the White-and-Blacks defeated Lazio 2-1 away from home on Monday night.
Okoye is not the only Nigerian goalkeeper to have experienced an improvement in their estimation, as Chippa United star Stanley Nwabali has also seen a boost in his ratings.
In Okoye's absence, Nwabali was Nigeria's number-one goalkeeper at the AFCON, where he kept four clean sheets to propel the Super Eagles to a silver-medal finish.
The 27-year-old former Lobi Stars goalie became the darling of many for his composure between the goalposts and his shot-saving prowess, especially during the penalty shootout win over South Africa.
For his brilliance at the continental championship, Nwabali is now valued at €250,000 – the highest market value of his career.
Nwabali is, however, not Nigeria's second-most valuable goalkeeper behind Okoye.
That title goes to Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho, who is now valued at €450,000 after suffering a dip from €500,000.
Uzoho is not the only Nigerian goalkeeper to suffer a decrease in value in the recent transfer update, with Moroka Swallows FC's Daniel Akpeyi dropping to €100k, Hapoel Jerusalem's Adebayo Adeleye down to €350k, FC Lugano's Sebastian Osigwe dipping to €200k, and FC Lahti's Joshua Oluwayemi smashed to €450k.
N.B: Should Maduka Okoye return to displace Stanley Nwabali as Super Eagles' number-one goalkeeper? Leave your comments below.
What we need are goalkeepers in top form. If Okoye (or any other keeper’s) form trumps Nwabali then let there be no sentiments. Let the better keeper man the stakes.