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| Photo: Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye |
Maduka Okoye is not included in the Super Eagles squad for the international friendly against Russia on 6 October 2026 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
The Udinese goalkeeper had been named in the separate list for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which featured matches against Madagascar on 25 September and Guinea-Bissau on 29 September.
Coach Éric Chelle released two distinct 24-man groups in mid-September, with Okoye listed among the goalkeepers for the qualifiers alongside Stanley Nwabali and Arthur Okonkwo. For the Russia fixture, the goalkeeping options shifted to Michael Atata, Samuel James and Nwabali.
Nigeria returned home after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in Bissau on 29 September, Chelle’s first loss since taking charge. Upon arrival at Abuja airport, Okoye did not remain with the travelling party preparing for the Russia game. Instead, he boarded a flight to London, according to reports circulating after the team’s return.
The Russia friendly forms the final match of Nigeria’s extended international window and will allow Chelle to assess an experimental squad featuring several new call-ups.
Okoye’s absence from that list had been confirmed weeks earlier when the two squads were published, reflecting the coach’s decision to rotate players after the qualifiers.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to face Russia on Tuesday evening local time as they look to end the window on a positive note.
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