Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Alloy Agu believes Maduka Okoye is capable of stepping in for Stanley Nwabali if the latter is unavailable for the 2025 African Cup of Nations, SportPremi reports.
Nwabali has become a regular for the national tram since his emergence ahead of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, but is a doubt for this month’s tournament as he battles to recover in time from an injury.
Earlier this week, Chippa United head coach Vusimuzi Vilakazi cast doubts over the participation of the 29-year-old, after admitting he might need surgery on a hand and ankle injury that has kept him out of the club’s last three league matches.
The former Lobi Stars goalkeeper played a very crucial role in Nigeria’s run to the final of the last AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, delivering assured performances in goal.
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He featured in every of the Super Eagles matches at the concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including the CAF playoffs semifinal and final against Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo respectively.
Okoye, on the other hand, made his debut in 2019 under former head coach Gernot Rohr and has made 18 appearances for the Nigerian national team, including playing at the 2021 African Cup of Nations.
However, he struggled to retake his spot in the team since the arrival of Nwabali, but could be offered a route back if the first-choice goalkeeper fails to make the final squad for the tournament.
Okoye backed to replace Nwabali at AFCON
Alloy Agu previously worked with Okoye as Nigeria’s goalkeeper coach and acknowledges the quality of the Udinese goalkeeper.
“I hope all is not lost, but we need to pray for Stanley to recover and participate with his colleagues.
However, we have other good goalkeepers in the team, including Maduka Okoye. All we need to do is trust them and give them confidence. I’m sure the goalkeepers know what they have to do when they get the opportunity to play”, the 58-year-old stated.
The former Nigerian international also expressed optimism about the country’s chances at the tournament in Morocco, following an underwhelming qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“When it comes to football, you have to be optimistic; otherwise you shouldn’t even be involved. Going to the AFCON, the Super Eagles must remove all negativity and believe in themselves and in God”, he continued.
“They have to go there and play for the badge and for the entire country. You can’t write off the Super Eagles. Remember 2013 — no one gave them a chance, yet they won the trophy. Sometimes the team performs better when no one believes in them because you can’t predict football. But the question is: are they willing to play to their potential and give everything they have?”
Nigeria will compete alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in group C, beginning action against the former on the 23rd of this month.
