Fortuna Dusseldorf of Germany goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is delighted with his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles for the September 10 international friendly encounter against Ukraine l , reports Completesports.com.
Okoye, was on Thursday named in the 23-man squad for the game by Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr.
Glasgow Rangers of Scotland midfielder, Joe Aribo is the other new invitee in the list.
The 19-year-old took to the social media to express his happiness on the call-up and also thanked the fans for their goodwill messages.
“Can‘t express my feelings and how happy I am to get my first call-up for the Super Eagles.
All praise to the most high.
Thanks for all the messages!
#naijaboy,” Okoye tweeted.
Okoye, who was born in Germany to Nigerian parents will be looking to make his debut for the three-time African champions in the game.
By Adeboye Amosu
11 Comments
This brings to 18 the number of players to make or have made their debuts under Rohr in 3 years, an average of 6 per year. Yet some people whom hatred has turned their thinking faculties upside down will say he doesn’t give room for new players.
All 2000+ nigerian footballers plying their trades abroad must feature for the SE.
We must field 15 different players every game, both friendlies and competitive matches for them to be satisfied..!
What stops Rohr from calling up new Club Brugge of Belgium sensation, David Okereke? On current form the guy should have been called up at least as one of the strikers to step into the shoes of retired Odion Ighalo.
The fact that Okereke is the spearhead for the under 23 team and that they have a crucial match the day before (on the 9th) in Benin city is what stops Rohr from calling him up for an international friendly .
Qualifying for AFCON Under 23 and ultimately the Olympics next year is far more important than winning in the Ukraine or testing new players for the Super Eagles
David Okereke is already a SE with his recent performance. Rohr has already seen him in previous friendly. Two main purpose of friendlies. 1) to perfect strategies using regulars with real intention to win n 2) Try out few new players to increase the pool of players available for selection. For sure I know Rohr reckons with David though he might not have been invited. I strongly feel Rohr wants to see what Onuachu, Nacho, n few who haven’t really impressed are able to bring into d team before trying out others. He is d manager n has got final say which must respected n supported,however we might have our own opinion.
Coach Rohr should not only invite these new boys but to give them playing time not 89 minutes to the match, you are now bringing them in as a substitute. Please, give them quality playing time like 30 – 45 mins to actually see what they can do, remember the match is a friendly match so don’t waste your substitutes.
If you have studied coach Rohr, you will understand that he is not shy in using new invitee in friendly matches. He actually waits for friendly matches to do that. Players like Onuahu, Ajayi, Collins, Osimen, Chukwueze,Ebuehi, Idowu etc, were all blooded in friendly matches.
It is only competitive matches he becomes really careful to try out new invitees. And you understand with him because Nigerians are very bad losers. Lose a single match and all hell break loose, even inconsequential matches like the one against Madagascar. They start calling for your sack.
So I’m very certain we will see players like Aribo and maybe okoye.
I don’t see the need inviting David okereke now for Ukraine match when we have players like oyekwere, onuchua, iheanacho, and oshimen who are yet to stamp authority in that number 9 role.. Why bring more when the ones there although not doing badly are yet to truly peak for super eagles.. Don’t forget osihem is yet to score for super eagles.. Oshimen needs this game more than okereke for now.. And let’s not forget there was a time awoniyi was scoring so many goals in Belgium but when invited for u23 he couldn’t even find his feet in their last two games..
Let’s watch okereke closely to see if he maintains his form.. If he does then he can replace either of onuchua and iheanacho that’s if they both not perform well in the team
Let me correct an errant notion concerning super Eagles attacking fleet as presently constituted
1. Kelechi Iheanacho is the most accomplished both in clubside(except for a one off bad season in Leicester) and national team football. A guy that was our go to man for goals b4 ighalo found his boots has nothing specific to prove to you haters… he only needs ur support and encouragement.
Kelechi iheanacho, kele Kele. Kele Kelechi. Ka anyi kele Kelechi. Bia nu ka anyi kele Kelech. Asi m bia nu ka anyi kele Kelechi.
okoyo nwi ikpa
Kelechi is not a natural finisher , he did not come to limelight as a finisher, I mean as a #9 , he made his mark playing behind the attack from where he scored many goals because as a one legged player it gives him the room to adjust himself even if the ball comes through his weak side but as a #9 you need a split second to make decision before defenders will pounce on you. Besides, he has the most intelligent and defence splitting passes in the super Eagles but we are allowing those qualities go to waste by pushing him upfront to do what he is not very good at.