BY ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Super Eagles and Sparta Rotterdam goaltender, Maduka Okoye, is anxiously looking forward to representing Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Cameroon early next year.
Okoye played a vital role as Nigeria qualified for the tournament, starting the home and away fixtures against Sierra Leone and an away tie at Republic of Benin.
The German-born goal stopper recently agreed to join Premier League side, Watford, with effect from January 2022, but will be spending the remainder of the season at Sparta before returning to his parent club next summer.
“Ekong, Etebo and Dennis are my guys and I’m looking forward to seeing them.
“I’m looking forward to the AFCON in January; it’s a big platform for every player and a big chance for me to represent my country in such a tournament,” Okoye said.
Okoye earned his fourteenth Nigeria cap in the World Cup qualifier against Liberia played in Morocco on Saturday evening which Nigeria triumphed 2-0.
The 22-year-old has started all but one of the five matches played by the Super Eagles in World Cup qualifying, keeping clean sheets in his last games against Central African Republic and Liberia at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Okoye has acknowledged that his upcoming transfer to Watford will motivate him to give his best to the Super Eagles.
He recently agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract at the Hornets with effect from January 1, 2022.
The 6ft 6in gloves man has made remarkable progress in his career over the last two years, from playing in the equivalent of the German fourth-tier to being Premier League bound.
