A Seasoned football administrator, Adam Mouktar Mohammed has revealed why Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye should be in the starting lineup for Friday’s AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
Okoye, 21, made his international debut in the game between Nigeria and Brazil last year, after he came on for injured Francis Uzoho.
In the subsequent games against Algeria and Tunisia where he had to prove his mettle between the sticks, Okoye, did not disappoint the coach; showing glimpse of his class and winning the heart of several fans with impressive saves.
Although, the return of Daniel Akpeyi and newly invited, Sebastian Osigwe will present the Super Eagles coach with a tough decision.
According to Goal.com, Mohammed expressed confidence in Okoye’s ability in goal judging by the country he began his career.
Okoye was born in Düsseldorf, Germany to a Nigerian father and a German mother. He started his career in 2012 with Bayer Leverkusen, turning up for their Youth team before moving to Fortuna Düsseldorf, where he played for their Youth team and the senior team.
“So, I think it’s time that you should not take too much risk, but we’ve seen him and he looks like a safe pair of hands, so why not [put him in goal]?
“These are the kind of matches that will give him confidence and would also reassure Nigerians that he is one for the future and that he can play at that high level,” Mohammed said.
However, Goal.com disclosed that the Administrator refuted claims that the goalkeeper lacks experience which may put the Super Eagles in a dicey situation if used against a Sierra Leonean side aiming to secure three points in the encounter.
“Gernot Rohr has obviously scouted him for a long time, so for him to bring him in, he must have done his due diligence to know that he can withstand the pressure because goalkeeping is a very important position where the team builds up and gets the confidence. That is a critical position for the country.
“There are no minnows now in African football; Nigeria is always a tricky match. You are going there you don’t know what you are going to see and what you are going to get.
“They are going to be fighting for name and pride, so, we have to go in there, do the business early and pick the points. It’s not going to be easy but I think we should be able to get something out of this.”
Maduka Okoye has conceded five goals in three games this season for his Dutch club, Sparta Rotterdam who are 13th on the Eredivisie table.
