Super Eagles Recall Okoye for World Cup Qualifiers, Omit Uzoho
Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been summoned back to the Super Eagles by head coach Finidi George, replacing Francis Uzoho, for the pivotal 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic on June 7 and 10 respectively, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
The Nigeria Football Federation unveiled the 23-man squad for both matches, with Europa League winner and Atalanta star, Ademola Lookman, leading the list of players tasked with navigating Finidi’s initial challenges at the helm.
Alongside Okoye’s return, Remo Stars right-back, Sodiq Ismail, earns a maiden call-up to the national team. Notably absent from the roster are Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina, Kenneth Omeruo, and William Troost-Ekong.
Okoye has been absent from the national team for over two years, with his last appearance against Tunisia on January 23, 2022. Since then, he has revitalized his career with consistent displays for Udinese in Serie A. Okoye will vie for the goalkeeper position alongside Stanley Nwabali and Enyimba’s Ojo Olorunleke.
Ismail’s inclusion comes on the back of an impressive season in the Nigeria Premier Football League, where he contributed 12 assists in 30 matches.