By Victor Kanayo
There is growing tension in the camp of Nigeria’s Super Eagles barely 48 hours to their international friendly clash against Saudi Arabia in Portugal following arrival of one goalkeeper out of the three invited.
As at Wednesday October 11, 2023, Heritage Times HT gathered that only the team’s number one goalkeeper Francis Uzoho is on ground with two others – Ojo Olorunleke and Adebayo Adeleye not being able to connect due to visa and other issues.
While Olorunleke who plays at home with Enyimba at the Nigeria Premier Football League couldn’t secure visa, Adeleye plying his trade in Israel is trapped due to ongoing war between the country and Hamas militants.
Later on Wednesday evening, feelers from Portugal indicated that the Nigeria’s men senior national team coach Jose Peseiro has extended urgent invitation to the new Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, to cover for the two absent ones.
The young goalkeeper joined the Italian Serie A side this summer from the English championship side Watford FC.Okoye has been an integral part of the team under the former coach Gernot Rohr but has been out of the team since the arrival of Peseiro due to loss of form and lack of regular action with his former club.
So far, 24 players are reportedly already in camp and they have begun training.
