The Real Reason Maduka Okoye Was Rested For Lesotho Match

Super Eagles first man between the sticks Maduka Okoye was rested for the last game of the AFCON qualifiers against Lesotho and the returning Francis Uzoho filled in for him.

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has now revealed the reason why the Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper missed the game. 

“Maduka Okoye was sick,” Rohr told NFF media in an interview made available to OmaSports. “In the last moment he had stomach problems, he could not play, he had to stay in the hotel but he’s much better now and he could leave Lagos.”

Rohr made five changes to the team that beat Benin Republic in Cotonou. “We had to change four or even five players including the goalkeeper,” he said.

“Ola Aina who was a little bit injured and tired from the Benin game and of course Alex was coming in for Henry and also Aribo who was sick, the same thing like Okoye, stomach problem, and was replaced by Etebo.”

Maduka Okoye has been the Eagles number one since replacing the injured Uzoho in a friendly match against Brazil in 2019 and had been named the Eagles first choice by Rohr who said he looked for a first choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles for a long time but the search is over with Okoye.