By Kehinde Okeowo
Sparta Rotterdam and Nigeria’s first choice goal keeper, Maduka Okoye has revealed that he was nervous on his debut for the country, but gradually settled into the match as it progressed.
The 22-year old who played for Nigeria for the first time in a friendly match against Brazil in 2019 after Frances Uzoho got injured, believes he is yet to become the first choice goalkeeper for the team
He made the revelations while answering question on BBC The goalkeeper, who was the last to report to the Super Eagles camp, also said injury to his compatriot during the friendly match against Brazil paved way for him to kick start his career in the colours of Nigeria.
“I’ve experienced for myself that playing for a club and then for your country is a whole other thing. I don’t see myself as the Nigeria’s number one yet, I have to work on a lot of things before I will be the undisputed number one.
“Francis Uzoho got injured so I had to do a quick warm-up together with the other reserve keeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa. It was either him or me.
“I had to go for it, but I was nervous at first, and there were a lot of things going through my mind. However, as soon as I set foot on the field, it was like any other match.” Okoye said.
He further said he was initially doubted because he plied his trade in Germany’s lower division, but his exposures to higher and more competitive leagues, have since exposed his talent and brought him to limelight.
“In the beginning, they (the critics) doubted me a lot. When I played in the German lower leagues, they found it impossible to believe I had talent. Now there are fewer doubters; the higher you play at club level, the more they will respect you.” he added..
The German born goalkeeper, who is expected to be in goal for Nigeria again Central African republic (CAR) believes his destination is the English Premier League
Okoye , who has dual citizenship, was eligible to play for Nigeria and Germany, be one opting to play for Nigeria. He will for now concentrate on the double header between Nigeria and CAR, being the assignment at hand.