Super Eagles: Okoye’s absence leaves Chelle with 2 goalkeepers in camp

Nigeria's Super Eagles have begun their preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, Soccernet.ng reports.

Chippa United star Stanley Nwabali and Charlton Athletic shot-stopper Arthur Okonkwo are the only goalkeepers in camp as Udinese ace Maduka Okoye waits to join the squad.

Nwabali joined the Super Eagles camp on Tuesday evening taking the number of players available to head coach Eric Chelle to 23. Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi have also reported to camp, further raising the positive spirit among the Super Eagles stars.

Coach Chelle’s first training session took place on Tuesday, September 22, ahead of Friday’s Group L meeting with Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. The Nigeria Football Federation had named Nwabali, Okonkwo and Okoye as the three goalkeepers for the qualifiers.

The arrival of captain Wilfred Ndidi and AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze leaves only Okoye as the only player being awaited in Uyo.

Super Eagles: 3 goalkeepers, 3 different stories

Nwabali’s return gives Chelle an experienced option between the posts. The Chippa United goalkeeper was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2025 AFCON, where he saved two penalties against Egypt as the Super Eagles won the bronze medal.

His return to the squad comes after he was left out of Nigeria’s recent international assignments, making the Madagascar match his first competitive appearance in the national setup since the end of the AFCON campaign.

Okonkwo, meanwhile, has been given a major opportunity after his impressive displays during Nigeria’s Unity Cup campaign. The on-loan Wrexham goalkeeper could make his competitive debut against either Madagascar or Guinea-Bissau.

AFCON 2027

LIVE: Inside Super Eagles’ first training ahead of crucial Madagascar clash – Soccernet NG

Read →

Okoye brings recent international experience into the contest. The Udinese goalkeeper started both of Nigeria’s June friendlies against Poland and Portugal, playing 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Poland on June 3 and the 2-1 defeat by Portugal on June 10.

His absence from Tuesday’s early camp group leaves Chelle with Nwabali and Okonkwo as his available goalkeeping options for the opening training session. Okoye was in league action on Saturday as his Udinese stumbled to a 1-0 home Serie A defeat against Cagliari.

Nigeria face Madagascar on September 25 before travelling to Bissau for their second qualifier against Guinea-Bissau four days later.