Nigeria

“Unbelievable” – Super Eagles goalkeeper humbled by playing alongside Alexis Sanchez

Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Emilio Okoye, has revealed he was in awe when he got to train with former Arsenal winger, Alexis Sanchez, Soccernet.ng reports. 

The 25-year-old put in a string of solid performances for Udinese last season, helping them avoid relegation and eventually becoming the club’s first choice goalkeeper.

Former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward, Sanchez, joined the Udine club this summer on a two-year deal, for his second stint. He initially played for the Italian club between 2007 and 2011.

Okoye, speaking about what it’s like to have Alexis Sanchez as a teammate, termed the feeling to be unbelievable.

“I remember when he walked in changing room the first time, I was sitting on my chair, I sit right at the beginning. So I looked up, stood right up and shook his hand like I mean it is Alexis Sanchez. He is a legend of the game, not just a club legend at Udinese, but in the whole game. It’s a privilege and I’m proud to be able to work with a legend like Alexis Sanchez,” the Nigerian goalkeeper said in quotes revealed by Siempre Inter.

Okoye is currently on International duty with the Nigerian national team as they prepare to qualify for the AFCON 2025 tournament.

Despite Okoye’s brilliant performances, Stanley Nwabali was drafted in to start for the Super Eagles against the Republic of Benin at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

 

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

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