Maduka Okoye will miss Nigeria’s upcoming friendly against Jordan on Tuesday after suffering an injury in training.
Okoye has since returned to his club, Udinese, for further medical evaluation.
His absence comes at a challenging time, as Okoye had been on an intense run of form, playing 13 consecutive matches without rest, including Nigeria’s recent 2–1 victory over Iran.
The latest setback adds to a growing list of injury concerns throughout Okoye’s career.
According to Transfermarkt, the goalkeeper has endured multiple fitness issues, including a serious wrist ligament tear that required surgery and kept him out for 93 days, along with shoulder injuries, knee surgery, muscle strain, and bouts of illness.
In total, he has suffered nine notable injuries or health-related absences, raising concerns about his long-term fitness consistency.
With Okoye unavailable, attention now shifts to Nigeria’s remaining goalkeeping options, Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye.
Uzoho, a former first-choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, brings valuable experience, having earned 36 caps for the national team.
His most recent appearance came on December 30, 2025, when he played the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 friendly win over Uganda.
At club level, he has featured in 12 matches this season for Omonia Nicosia across all competitions.
Also read: Okoye Breaks Silence over His Loyalty, Super Eagles Criticism
Meanwhile, Adeleye remains relatively inexperienced on the international stage, with just one cap to his name.
He made his debut on June 18, 2023, in a 3–2 victory against Sierra Leone during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Despite limited exposure, he now has a potential opportunity to prove himself if called upon.
As Nigeria prepares to face Jordan, the absence of Okoye presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the team’s goalkeeping department, with either Uzoho or Adeleye expected to step up and stake a claim for the number one position.
