Udinese Delay Okoye’s Release As Super Eagles Prepare For 2025 AFCON

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye will join Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad only after Udinese’s Serie A fixture against defending champions Napoli on Saturday.

Okoye had initially been expected to arrive in the national team camp on Monday (today), but his departure has been delayed following a FIFA directive allowing clubs to retain players until December 15.

Naija News reports that Udinese manager Kosta Runjaic confirmed that the 25-year-old shot-stopper will leave for international duty immediately after the crucial home fixture at the Bluenergy Stadium.

“We’re considering this issue. After Napoli, we’ll probably no longer have Rui Modesto, Okoye, Bayo, and Zemura, but we’ve known about it for some time,” Runjaic said via the club’s official website.

Okoye, who has been in impressive form this season, is set to make his second AFCON appearance in Morocco. He previously served as the Super Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper at the AFCON 2021 finals in Cameroon.

The Nigerian international will be expected to challenge for the No.1 spot again as the Super Eagles prepare for the continental showpiece. His late arrival, however, means the technical crew will have a shortened window to assess him before the tournament kicks off.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has dismissed suggestions that his retirement from international football was engineered behind the scenes, saying his exit was guided purely by personal choice.

Naija News reports that Troost-Ekong, 32, confirmed his decision last Thursday, bringing an end to a decade in green and white after earning 83 caps and leading Nigeria through several major tournaments.

Within hours, social media claims surfaced accusing the Nigeria Football Federation of pushing him out following reported tensions.

Troost-Ekong moved quickly to counter the rumours on Friday, responding directly to posts on 𝕏 that implied he had been punished for criticising the federation or frozen out by internal politics.

He wrote: “Not true! My own choice/decision and on my own terms. No one ever asked/tried to force me out. If anything, the opposite when I shared my decision. I wish the team all the best and support them together with all Nigerians for the upcoming AFCON to go all the way.”

In a reply to another post, he repeated that nothing had influenced his exit except his own judgment: “This just isn’t true, my friend! I retired on my own terms and for my own reasons. None of the above-mentioned. Wish you all the best. My full support to Coach Chelle and the team for the upcoming AFCON.”

The timing of his announcement, just days after he was named in Nigeria’s provisional 54-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, fed speculation that he had been denied what many considered a fitting final appearance.