Maduka Okoye Focuses on Improvement After AFCON Setback
Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has reflected on his costly error during the 2021 AFCON, which led to Nigeria’s elimination from the tournament in Cameroon.
Speaking to newsmen, Okoye acknowledged his mistake and expressed regret over the incident, admitting that he could have performed better in that crucial moment.
Although the 24-year-old was not handed the shirt to rival new fan favourite Stanley Nwabali in both games, Okoye seems to be at peace again with the feeling of being back in the national team.
“Not just when I look back, even at the moment, I knew I had to do better and it pains me today to be honest,” Okoye said via Oma Sports TV.
It was hard for me as a young boy to go through that and I’m not just talking about what I heard or read on social media, it’s the feeling of letting your teammates, family and country down.”
Since turning his career around with consistent performance for Udinese in the Serie A, Okoye has been linked with a move to Inter Milan and he hopes to keep up his steady improvement.
“It was a mistake, and we have talked about Inter Milan and if I want to be at Inter Milan, I have to do better in such situations. And this is what I did for the last couple of years, I improved, I trained hard, I don’t want a thing like that to happen again.”
After more than two years away from the national team following the AFCON disappointment, he was recently recalled by coach Finidi George for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic, although despite not starting in these games, he expressed gratitude for being back in the squad and appears to have reconciled with his past performance.
Meanwhile, looking ahead, Okoye aims to maintain his progress and avoid similar mistakes in crucial situations, reflecting a determination to elevate his game and potentially move to bigger clubs like Inter Milan, who have shown interest in him.
