By George Omagbemi
Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye missed Nigeria’s first training session ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar after being granted permission to attend to family and personal matters.
Okoye was the only one of Nigeria’s 24 invited players yet to report to camp as head coach Éric Chelle led 23 players through their first training session in Uyo. The team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, confirmed that the Udinese goalkeeper was expected to arrive on Thursday, September 24.
The development comes just two days before Nigeria’s opening Group L qualifier against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on Friday, September 25.
Okoye’s absence has attracted attention because he had been included in Chelle’s 24-man squad and had featured prominently for Nigeria during recent international matches. However, there has been no official indication that he was dropped, suspended or injured for the Madagascar fixture.
Social media reports also circulated footage appearing to show Okoye with American rapper Cardi B in Milan. While the footage has generated speculation about his whereabouts, the official explanation from the Super Eagles camp remains that he was attending to family and personal matters.
With Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo available in camp, Chelle has goalkeeping options ahead of Friday’s crucial qualifier.
Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau on September 29 in their second Group L fixture.
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