Gernot Rohr has disclosed that Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, is not the team’s first choice yet.
Although, Okoye, who made his debut appearance in the friendly against Brazil after coming on for injured Francis Uzoho has since become a regular face in between the sticks for Super Eagles.
The 21-year-old was in goal for the three-time Africa champions in their double-header AFCON qualifiers against Sierra Leone last month.
Okoye conceded four goals in the first leg at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on November 13 but kept a clean sheet in Freetown four days later.
The 67-year-old Franco-German tactician says all his goalkeepers have been favourites at some point and it is Okoye’s but, the lad hasn’t done enough to earn the status as reported by Complete Sport quoting owngoalnigeria.com.
Francis Uzoho was in goal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa have also had their turns.
He said: “All the goalkeepers in the team have been the first choice for some time and now it’s Okoye’s turn.
“He has to work really hard to hang on to the position because the others are eager to be there. So it is not his own yet. He has done well with his club and that’s what you need to be in our team.”
The Nigerian keeper has made nine appearances for his Dutch League side conceding 12 goals and keeping two clean sheets in 840 minutes.
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