Okoye came under scrutiny for his error against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, which led to the ouster of Nigeria from AFCON
By Kehinde Okeowo
Ex gaffer of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has come to the defence of embattled first choice Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye.
The coach insisted the Premier League bound goalkeeper is still the best in the country despite his howler while on duty in the round of 16 in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Okoye came under fire in the media, after failing to stop the lone goal which sent Nigeria out of the 2021 AFCON. He also faced a lot of backlash on social media.
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According to OwnGoalNigeria.com Rohr who handed the goalkeeper his international bow has said those criticising him are going over the top because for now, he remains the top goalkeeper in the country.
He went further to say Nigeria have other good goalkeepers, but he is the best because he gets more playing time in his European club.
Rohr said, ” He came in as 4th choice but in 18 months he was first choice after what he did at Sparta Rotterdam. His rise is phenomenal, so you can expect some occasional mistakes. He worked so hard to get to where he is now. You have to credit him”.
*They are very good goalkeepers in Nigeria but Maduka has an edge which a regular for a team in the Dutch league, where he was second best goalkeeper last year.
“He is heading to Watford for a huge fee for an African goalkeeper of his age. I am proud of him, he concluded.